Background of ICE

It was Congress that created the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the Homeland Security Act of 2002, which was put into place after the terrorist attacks on 9/11. Their original mission was to emphasize public safety and preserve American security. However, in recent years, their primary focus has been detaining and deporting undocumented immigrants in the United States, completely straying away from their initial mission to create a safer environment for the country; more recently they have become dangerous themselves rather than keeping danger out of the country.

To date, only 5 percent of individuals booked into ICE detentions have had a violent criminal conviction by the end of 2025, and 73% had no conviction at all. Around the country, there are a total of 212 active detention facilities where immigrants who are en route to be deported to their country of origin are being held. Since taking office, the Trump Administration has expanded ICE’s domestic operations, further emphasizing the deportation of immigrants in the United States.

As of early 2026, ICE is being heavily deployed all over the country, with an emphasis in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as detention numbers are now at the highest in our nation’s history. There have been many incidents where ICE has overstepped their authority, causing at least 50,000 to 100,000 Minneapolis civilians to rally in protest, despite the brutal sub-zero weather conditions. This number is only a small fraction of people that have been advocating for immediate change.

Murder of Innocent Civilians

Innocent people have been shot and killed at the hands of ICE agents. One of these completely corrupt and appalling murders includes Alex Jeffrey Pretti in Minneapolis. Pretti, an intensive care unit nurse at the Department of Veterans Affairs, was recording ICE agents in the streets on his phone when one of them came in contact with another observer, pushing her to the ground.

After Pretti attempted to assist her and offer help, the agents profiled him as a “threat” and targeted him. Pretti had been carrying a gun—which he had the license and verification to carry—and after he was disarmed in the conflict by one of the agents, another agent opened fire, shooting him in his back as he was lying face down on the ground. Many speculate that agents were aware of the fact he did not pose a threat, but the decision was made to fire on him anyway; this, of course, emphasizes how violent and unforgivable the ICE administration has now become. Ultimately, there is no justifiable reason to shoot an innocent civilian exercising their first Amendment rights in the street.

Another one of ICE’s victims, Renee Nicole Good, a mother of 3, and active member of her community in Minneapolis, was shot and killed by ICE agents on Wednesday morning of January 7th 2026. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that Good “weaponized her vehicle” to run over an ICE officer, and that the officer shot her in an act of self defense. However, there have been many disputes over the event, as video footage has been analyzed, it is clear that Good posed no attempt to harm the ICE agent with her car, and his actions were similarly not justifiable in terms of self-defense.

The community in Minneapolis was both deeply saddened and completely outraged by the unforgivable murder of Good. The shooting site quickly became a site of vigil, and citizens of Minneapolis took to the streets to protest. Pretti and Good are just a few of the examples of civilians whose lives have been taken and abused in the presence of ICE.

Detention of 5-year old boy

Bundled up in a blue knit bunny hat and a Spider-Man backpack, 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos was detained in Minneapolis along with his father who he met up with in custody. Liam is now the fourth child from his school district to be taken away by ICE in just the past two weeks, creating an unstable environment for young children whose biggest worry should have nothing to do with their safety or being taken away from their families. These worries have led to many kids being afraid to attend school as several of Minnesota’s large school districts have offered online school to their students after about half of Spanish-speaking students in St. Paul were absent from school, as tensions heightened after the murder of Renee Nicole Good.

The Ramos’s family lawyer, Marc Prokosch, stated that the Ramos family came to the United States seeking asylum meaning they were going through all the established protocols, and were simply in search of a better life and heightened opportunities, but were instead met with dangerous, hostile and unlawful actions from ICE agents and the Trump administration overall. Given that they were asylum seekers, ICE did not have proper authority to detain them.

In the ruling to decide what the next steps were concerning Liam and his father, U.S. District Judge Fred Biery stated that “the case has its genesis in the ill-conceived and incompetently-implemented government pursuit of daily deportation quotas, apparently even if it requires traumatizing children”. Biery denounced the actions of ICE in his official ruling, and allowed Liam and his father to return back to their home in Minneapolis.

Minneapolis Faith Community

After all the dismay and tragedy that has been brought to the Minneapolis community, the many different faith communities, with a focus on Christian parishes have been organizing against ICE’s unlawful actions. They have played a crucial role in rallying Minneapolis residents and aiding their most vulnerable neighbors. For example, members of Reverend Susie Hayward’s church have been involved in patrolling outside of schools and places of worship, to disrupt ICE activity in those areas.

Most importantly, faith communities are offering both emotional and physical support for immigrants and American citizens who are affected by ICE’s actions in Minneapolis; for example, delivering groceries and offering rides to migrants who are afraid to leave their houses, and organizing virtual “nightly healing spaces”, offering therapeutic care for all Minneapolis residents.

One church in Minneapolis has delivered more than 12,000 boxes of food to families who feel unsafe leaving their homes. It is not just immigrants who have been targeted by ICE, but a majority of people taking a stand against their heinous actions. The faith community demonstrates the support given and within the community to continue working for a change.

Nationwide response to ICE

As a result of so many cities being affected by the deployments of ICE, there has been a nationwide response to denounce the actions of ICE. A PBS News/NPR/Marist Poll found that nearly two-thirds of Americans say ICE has gone too far in immigration crackdown, meaning the majority of Americans do not support ICE’s actions. One example of recent protest activity took place on January 30th, 2026. Named the “ICE OUT” protest, activists urged a nationwide shutdown: No school, No work, No shopping. Organizers forecast 250 demonstrations across 46 states from the west to east coast.

A nationwide demonstration this big shows how disruptive ICE’s occupation has become. It is a clear abuse of authority and power that has no place in a democracy that respects equality and the rule of law. As of February 12 2026, Tom Homan, the White House border czar who took over immigration enforcement, claimed that he was ending the surge of ICE agents to the state of Minnesota. This is a tremendous step to creating a positive change in our country, and it is proof that when there is advocacy and demonstration, development follows. Our country still has a long way to go to heal and continue to advocate for communities who are still affected by ICE.

Ways to make a change

There are many ways to safely advocate for a change that we could implement more often in our lives. For example, writing letters to local leaders and senators, urging them to speak out and mobilize against ICE, and supporting advocacy organizations nationwide. Most importantly, it is important to stay informed and educate yourself on these topics.

Change can not be brought upon this country without community, empathy, accountability, and action, and it is our responsibility to recognize this fact and lead our lives with the intentions of putting these values into action.