ICE, which stands for United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is a government agency under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to “conduct criminal investigations, enforce immigration laws, preserve national security, and protect public safety.” Its mission originates from the 1876 US Supreme Court case Chy Lung v. Freeman, which established the power under the federal government to set and enforce rules on immigration. It is designed to defend the national border and protect national security. However, controversies arose regarding its actions to enforce a more hardline immigration policy.
Since last year, news reports on ICE have been more about arrest and deportation missions. There are even alleged daily targets for ICE arrests. In the first few months, several people died in ICE custody. In July 2025, a US District Judge in Los Angeles prohibited ICE from racially profiling Latinos and other Southern California residents. However, ICE disregarded the order and constantly arrested Latino workers. Later, the Supreme Court ruled that ICE can resume immigration stops using factors such as Spanish language use, race, and employment in certain industries.
In December 2025, thousands of DHS agents, including ICE, were deployed to Minnesota. The aggressive immigration enforcement led to thousands of arrests, including children. The fatal shootings of two US citizens, Renée Good and Alex Pretti, sparked national outrage and widespread protests. Controversies involve allegations of excessive force, unlawful detention of citizens, and agents violating court orders. The State of Minnesota is suing the federal government over a million in economic damage. In April 2026, an ICE agent was charged with felony assault for allegedly pointing a gun at motorists during the operation.
Does the federal government’s authority override individuals’ constitutional rights? The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution ensures that people are safeguarded against unreasonable searches and seizures, and the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution ensures everyone is treated equally under the law, no matter their appearance, job, background, or language.
The answer to the question above rests in the legal documents and founding principles. It is also reflected in protests and petitions. In the “No Kings” movement on March 28, which around 8 million people participated in over 3000 sites nationwide, people chanted, “Immigrants are welcome. No hate. No fear.”
As people wait eagerly for the Supreme Court decisions on the birthright citizenship case and on the protected immigration status, the eventual ruling will not just bring clarity to these cases, but also have significant consequences for immigration policy. The stakes are high.
