Immigration and Customs Enforcement, otherwise known as ICE, is a federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws within the United States. ICE has been a huge topic of conversation under Donald Trump’s administration. Many Americans have questioned the morality behind the actions ICE has taken to deport people in this country.
On January 7, 2026, Renee Nicole Goode, a 37-year-old mother, was shot by an ICE agent while leaving her home in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Video evidence shows ICE agents recording Goode and her license plate after she was partially blocking the street while exiting her driveway. According to witnesses, an agent attempted to open her car door while she was inside. Goode drove away, trying to remove herself from the scene and was shot three times by an ICE agent, resulting in her death. Federal officials have stated that the shooting was in self-defense, while other witnesses, including her spouse, reported that she appeared to be driving away from the officers. This incident prompted many protests and public discussion in Minneapolis.
Another shooting occurred on January 24, 2026, involving Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse in Minneapolis. Video footage shows federal immigration agents detaining and spraying individuals in South Minneapolis. Witnesses reported that Pretti was attempting to assist a woman who had been pushed to the ground by an ICE agent when he was shot. Stella Carlson, who was the woman in the pink coat that recorded the altercation, told CNN that Pretti appeared calm and was helping others. Federal officials claimed that the agent shot Pretti because he had a gun which he was carrying legally. In an interview, President Donald Trump, who has historically supported Americans’ Second Amendment rights, stated that Pretti should not have been carrying a gun, while continuing to express support for the ICE agents involved in the shooting. This event raised questions about the accountability or lack thereof for ICE.
Lastly, controversy sparked after five year old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father were detained after coming home from prekindergarten in Columbia Heights, Minnesota. The Ecuadorian father and son came to the United States in 2024 seeking asylum. Lawyer Marc Prokosch who is working with the family stated that they were taking legal pathways to citizenship in the US. A public outcry began when photos of the boy in his Spider-Man backpack standing beside a federal agent circulated the media. Supporters of the family argued that the detention of this young boy highlighted the impact of families seeking asylum.
Immigration enforcement continues to be a deeply contested issue. Going through the legal process of applying for citizenship can take up to 25 years. While some immigrants are criminals, many of them wish to come to a land of opportunity where they can provide themselves and their children better lives. In fact, research shows that incarceration rates are significantly lower for both legal and illegal immigrants. This suggests that most immigrants are law-abiding and motivated by the desire to work and contribute to society. While some are content with the current system, many Americans are protesting for change.
Furthermore, ICE is expected to conduct mass deportations in Atlanta in the near future. Many schools in the area such as Riverwood, Dunwoody, Midtown, the Greater Atlanta Christian School and more have participated in walkouts protesting ICE’s arrival in Atlanta. These high school participants organized peaceful walk outs during their school days and created signs to voice their beliefs and concerns. Atlanta is seeing the youth of today advocate for the protection of their peers despite the heightened fear following recent events in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This new generation of America is taking the future of this country into their own hands and insisting on progress.
On January 7, 2026, Renee Nicole Goode, a 37-year-old mother, was shot by an ICE agent while leaving her home in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Video evidence shows ICE agents recording Goode and her license plate after she was partially blocking the street while exiting her driveway. According to witnesses, an agent attempted to open her car door while she was inside. Goode drove away, trying to remove herself from the scene and was shot three times by an ICE agent, resulting in her death. Federal officials have stated that the shooting was in self-defense, while other witnesses, including her spouse, reported that she appeared to be driving away from the officers. This incident prompted many protests and public discussion in Minneapolis.
Another shooting occurred on January 24, 2026, involving Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse in Minneapolis. Video footage shows federal immigration agents detaining and spraying individuals in South Minneapolis. Witnesses reported that Pretti was attempting to assist a woman who had been pushed to the ground by an ICE agent when he was shot. Stella Carlson, who was the woman in the pink coat that recorded the altercation, told CNN that Pretti appeared calm and was helping others. Federal officials claimed that the agent shot Pretti because he had a gun which he was carrying legally. In an interview, President Donald Trump, who has historically supported Americans’ Second Amendment rights, stated that Pretti should not have been carrying a gun, while continuing to express support for the ICE agents involved in the shooting. This event raised questions about the accountability or lack thereof for ICE.
Lastly, controversy sparked after five year old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father were detained after coming home from prekindergarten in Columbia Heights, Minnesota. The Ecuadorian father and son came to the United States in 2024 seeking asylum. Lawyer Marc Prokosch who is working with the family stated that they were taking legal pathways to citizenship in the US. A public outcry began when photos of the boy in his Spider-Man backpack standing beside a federal agent circulated the media. Supporters of the family argued that the detention of this young boy highlighted the impact of families seeking asylum.
Immigration enforcement continues to be a deeply contested issue. Going through the legal process of applying for citizenship can take up to 25 years. While some immigrants are criminals, many of them wish to come to a land of opportunity where they can provide themselves and their children better lives. In fact, research shows that incarceration rates are significantly lower for both legal and illegal immigrants. This suggests that most immigrants are law-abiding and motivated by the desire to work and contribute to society. While some are content with the current system, many Americans are protesting for change.
Furthermore, ICE is expected to conduct mass deportations in Atlanta in the near future. Many schools in the area such as Riverwood, Dunwoody, Midtown, the Greater Atlanta Christian School and more have participated in walkouts protesting ICE’s arrival in Atlanta. These high school participants organized peaceful walk outs during their school days and created signs to voice their beliefs and concerns. Atlanta is seeing the youth of today advocate for the protection of their peers despite the heightened fear following recent events in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This new generation of America is taking the future of this country into their own hands and insisting on progress.