More than 300 anti-ICE protests are planned across the United States this weekend, in a nationwide movement dubbed 'ICE Out of Everywhere'. The protests are a response to a series of recent deaths involving federal immigration agents, including the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis, the homicide of Geraldo Campos in a Texas immigration detention facility, and the shooting of Keith Porter Jr. by an off-duty ICE officer in Los Angeles. Activists argue that these incidents reflect a broader pattern of excessive force, detention abuses, and the militarization of immigration enforcement.
The national day of action, organized by the grassroots group 50501, aims to combat the escalating actions of the Trump administration against American citizens. Hunter Dunn, a national press coordinator for 50501, stated that recent reports of killings have opened people's eyes to the severity of the situation. Demonstrations will include vigils for those killed and detained by ICE, overpass banner actions, sidewalk protests, marches, and community training sessions to educate people on how to observe ICE and pressure elected officials to take action against Trump's immigration policies.
Protests are expected outside ICE detention centers, field offices, and congressional district offices in major cities and small towns from California to Maine. Demonstrators will also gather at airports to protest airlines that transport individuals for federal deportations. Additionally, protesters are calling for lawmakers to block funding for the Department of Homeland Security until ICE and CBP agents are removed from communities. Democratic senators have agreed to advance spending bills to avoid a partial shutdown but are pushing for ICE reforms as part of a separate bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE. They are demanding a code of conduct for ICE and independent investigations of its operations.
Economic pressure is being applied to businesses that support ICE operations. The 'No Housing for ICE' campaign encourages people to boycott hotels that provide lodging to immigration enforcement authorities. On Saturday, protesters plan to demonstrate near hotels that cooperate with ICE, leave negative reviews, and call management to urge them to end contracts with ICE. The '#DontServeICE' campaign targets local establishments, asking restaurants, retailers, and shops to refuse service to federal immigration agents. Protests are also occurring at major corporations like Target and Home Depot, where ICE has detained shoppers and employees, prompting protesters to demand that these companies take a stand against immigration enforcement.
The protests have gained momentum over the past few weeks, following the ICE shooting of Renee Good in her vehicle on January 7th. On January 23rd, tens of thousands of people marched in Minnesota to demand ICE's departure from the city, leading to a 'No work, no school, no shopping' call. A week later, on January 30th, a national shutdown was called, with thousands participating in various protest actions across the country, from student walkouts to business closures. 'Today's actions are a continuation of the growing movement,' Dunn said, emphasizing the combined effort to address the harm caused by ICE.
However, organizers note that their demands, including legal accountability for ICE officers who kill civilians, remain unmet. Minister Janae Bates Imari, a co-executive director of the Minneapolis interfaith organizing group Isaiah, expressed gratitude for the ongoing actions but emphasized the need for continued participation until ICE is removed from communities.
