CW Note

CWA # 1949
CW Note
The United States: ICE Crackdowns, Rising Resistance and the Political/Legal pushback
Conflict Weekly 317, 30 January 2026, Vol 7, No. 4

R Preetha
31 January 2026

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In the news
On 24 January, federal immigration agents fatally shot a US citizen, Alex Pretti, in Minneapolis during an immigration enforcement operation, leading to protests and outrage across the city and elsewhere.

On 26 January, the Department of Homeland Security replaced the head Border Patrol official for the Minnesota mission with the White House's border tsar.

On 27 January, in a Fox News interview, President Trump stated that the administration is "going to de-escalate a little bit" in Minnesota. “I don’t think it’s a pullback. It’s a little bit of a change,” he added.

On 28 January, according to internal guidance reviewed by Reuters, ICE officers in Minnesota were directed to avoid engaging with "agitators" and focus on "targeted enforcement of aliens with a criminal history.” Reuters also reported that several Democratic-led US states are pushing for legislation to allow individuals to sue ICE agents over civil rights violations.

Issues at large
First, President Trump’s immigration agenda. For Trump, illegal migration constitutes an “invasion” and is a matter of US national security, public safety and economic stability. Since returning to office in 2025, President Trump has framed immigration enforcement as a core duty, committing to execute “the largest domestic deportation operation” in American history. For him, the federal government failed over the past four years to control borders and protect citizens. This reflected in his 20 January 2025 executive order “Protecting the American People Against Invasion,” which states that “Enforcing our Nation’s immigration laws is critically important to the national security and public safety of the United States.” It points to undocumented migrants as sources of crime, espionage, terrorism and fiscal burden, and calls for the “total and efficient” enforcement of immigration laws. His administration justifies centralisation and expansion of federal power over immigration enforcement, including expanded deportations, expedited removals and mobilising multiple federal agencies to support mass enforcement. Unlike previous administrations that prioritised criminals or security threats, Trump targets all undocumented migrants.

Second, the ICE raids. There have been controversies over enforcement methods, accountability and civil rights across US cities. Besides Minneapolis, large-scale raids have taken place in cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago and Charlotte, with federal agents reportedly detaining thousands and arresting nearly 3,000 people in Minnesota alone under Operation Metro Surge. According to a Reuters report, at least 30 people died in ICE custody in 2025, the highest record in over two decades. Early 2026 has already seen at least six deaths in ICE detention centers.

Third, Trump’s immigration agenda and the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” The latter significantly increased immigration enforcement and border security funding to over USD 170 billion by 2029. Supporters state that ICE raids are required to restore law and order, whereas critics point out that the administration's enforcement approach has breached legal boundaries, federal–state relations and violated civil rights.

Fourth, legal/political responses and the pushback. Following the protests and deaths linked to ICE operations, several Democratic-led states have moved to expand legal accountability for federal agents. In December 2025, Illinois became the first state to pass a law allowing individuals to sue federal immigration officers in state courts for civil rights violations. The US Justice Department filed a lawsuit seeking to block it, arguing that it violates the Constitution’s “Supremacy Clause.” Similar legislation is under consideration in California, New York, Virginia, Maryland and Connecticut, addressing what supporters describe as a legal gap, as existing federal law permits lawsuits against state and local officials (including police) but not individual federal agents.

In perspective
First, the violence in Minneapolis raises the question of whether the incident marks a turning point or simply a course correction in US immigration enforcement. Media reports point out that the shootings have caused bipartisan scrutiny, protests and diplomatic fallout. As per a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll, Trump’s public approval rate declined to 39 per cent, the lowest since his return to the office. This shows that the aggressive enforcement approach is creating a shift in public sentiment.

Second, the immigration agenda helped Trump win in 2024, but the Minneapolis incident, along with concerns over civil rights, legal measures and protests, has led to a decline in support ahead of the midterm elections. At the same time, enforcement operations continue after making adjustments in Minneapolis towards a more targeted approach. The broader impact can possibly be seen in legal and institutional changes, including state efforts to allow civil suits against federal agents.

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