To understand the impact of the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on immigrant communities, it is important to know the backstory of why it was created. ICE was created in 2003, in an effort to ensure national security after the 9/11 attacks. Its original goal was to enforce immigration laws, and prevent any threats to the nation. However, in 2016, ICE enforcement practices expanded. Since then, deaths, arrests, and deportations of innocent immigrants quickly became more common. 

Donald Trump’s Connection 

Immigration Enforcement changed drastically during Donald J. Trump's presidency from 2017-2021. ICE already had deportation authorities, however they were broadened, which led to a higher rate of deportation. Raids became more common, and innocent people were deported regardless of the reason. On top of that, policies that protected raids from sensitive locations such as schools and places of worship were revoked in January 2025 (during Trump's second term) which only created more fear within communities. 

Why Now? 

Why are people now having outbursts against ICE? Immigration and Customs Enforcement is in the spotlight right now because they have been targeting non-criminals, and violating rights including the rights to privacy and a warrant before entering a home (Fourth Amendment), the right to free speech and peaceful protest (First Amendment), and the right to fair legal procedures (due process) . These concerns have been raised by legal advocates and

journalists such as; American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Knight First Amendment Institute (at Columbia University), and Mario Guevara. We have seen video evidence from first hand witnesses (which have been published on Tiktok or even worldwide news stations) of ICE arresting people without probable cause, and with unnecessary violence, which sparked controversy of how far they will go. According to multiple different sources, as of November 2025 approximately 73% of people in ICE detention centers do not have a criminal record. Yet the whole purpose of the organization is to eliminate national threats. 

Recent Cases of ICE’s Violence 

Let us have a look at two people who have died because of ICE’s alleged excessive force. Again, the concerns of excessive force have been raised by legal advocates and journalists such as ACLU, multiple Civil Rights Lawyers, American Immigration Council, the National Immigrant Justice Center, and many more. 

1) Renee Good moved to Minneapolis last year, was 37 years old, and a mother of 3. She was also a U.S. citizen. She was driving home after dropping her six-year-old off at school, and she was met with ICE agents in her neighborhood during a federal enforcement operation. Officers at the scene are heard telling Renee to get out of the car. She was seen turning the wheel to drive away from them. The officers then began shooting Renee, and she was sent to the ambulance and died the next morning. The Homeland Security Secretary called Renee a “domestic terrorist” and claimed the officers actions were in self defense.

2) Alex Pretti is a 37 year old ICU nurse and U.S. citizen who was shot and killed on January 24th, 2026 in Minneapolis. At the time, Alex was interfering between Border Patrol officers, who pushed a lady. Border Patrol and ICE claim that Alex had a handgun, and the officers shot him in self defense. However, videos of the shooting have circled around social media, and none of them show Alex with a gun, which only raised more controversy of the information Trump's administration spreads. 

Who is ICE Affecting? 

We can see a variety of people getting detained by ICE, from students at school, to working parents, and even U.S. citizens. Entire families and communities feel the impact of the raids. Immigrant students are especially at risk, because it is common for families to have mixed-status, which only creates more confusion in the students’ lives. Children may fear for themselves, as well as their families and friends. As raids become more common in neighborhoods, schools, and even places of worship, people become too afraid to even leave their houses. The short term effect is simple. Families pulled their children from school out of worry that the family would be separated if a member were to be detained or even deported, which has happened. An article from The City (thecity.nyc) explains how a six-year-old, her mother, and her 19 year old sister were all deported by ICE agents while leaving two of their siblings in the country. These cases instill more panic into families, causing more students to be pulled from school. When students do go to school, but are afraid, it takes a toll on their mental health, and their education suffers.

Donald Trump’s Policies 

Trump’s policies have pushed some states to take action against undocumented students. Some states are attempting to pass laws to be able to deny an education to children whose documents are not ready yet. This truly does affect the children's learning. The efforts are a clear conflict of a case (Plyler v. Doe, 1982) which rules that all children, regardless of their immigration status, have the right to a public education. If Trump’s policies end up passing, hundreds of thousands of children could be denied an education, which in the long run would create constant cycles of poverty within immigrant communities. 

Why Spreading Awareness is Important 

Understanding and spreading awareness of the crimes of the Federal Government Agencies is vital because it helps more people understand the situation, and it also lets communities know they are not alone in these situations. It is important to stand up for what is right and support innocent people, because the more we speak about it, the more group action we can take against it. It is especially important to help our immigrant communities during this time in any way we can. 

How to Help Immigrant Students 

Supporting immigrant students and helping them continue and improve their education is one way we can help. Always show compassion and try to help immigrant students with their mental health, because bad mental health can be an obstacle to improving. Making the best out of a bad situation and encouraging others to do so as well, is a great way to help bring up motivation for students. Providing immigrant communities with stability, education, and

Compassion will help ensure that the current issues do not get in the way of their learning and opportunities. Supporting immigrant students means supporting stronger, healthier communities for everyone.