TL;DR
Federal immigration enforcement operations have increased in U.S. communities, producing violent encounters and prompting legal challenges. Advocacy groups and legal nonprofits urge planning, documentation, and digital precautions while guidance evolves to reflect rising risks to both immigrants and U.S. citizens.
What happened
In recent months ICE and Customs and Border Protection have stepped up operations across American towns and cities, and incidents during those actions have turned deadly. A federal agent shot and killed Minneapolis resident and U.S. citizen Renee Nicole Good during an ICE operation; CBP officers also shot two people in Portland, leaving both hospitalized. Reports indicate DHS deployed about 2,000 agents to Minnesota and planned an additional 1,000; Minnesota and Illinois later filed federal lawsuits seeking to halt the operations. Advocates say the agencies’ growing presence, expanding DHS enforcement budget, and a history of aggressive tactics mean interactions can quickly escalate. Legal and community groups — including the National Immigrant Justice Center, National Immigration Law Center, Immigrant Legal Resource Center, and grassroots organizations like Siembra NC — are updating guidance. Recommended steps include building safety plans, understanding the difference between judicial and administrative warrants, documenting activity, using de-escalation, and taking digital-surveillance precautions.
Why it matters
- Greater ICE/CBP presence raises the chance of encounters for immigrants and nonimmigrants alike, increasing the potential for harm.
- Violent incidents during enforcement actions have occurred recently, including fatal and serious shootings.
- Standard legal advice is shifting as advocates revise trainings to reflect heightened physical risks, not just arrest or detention.
- Digital surveillance by immigration agencies is increasingly relevant; precautions may reduce exposure and preserve evidence.
Key facts
- A federal agent shot and killed 37-year-old Minneapolis resident and U.S. citizen Renee Nicole Good during an ICE operation.
- Customs and Border Protection officers shot two people in a car in Portland; both were hospitalized.
- DHS reportedly deployed 2,000 agents to Minnesota and planned to send about 1,000 more.
- Minnesota and Illinois filed lawsuits in federal court aiming to stop the ICE operations described as an "invasion" in news reporting.
- Advocacy groups say immigration enforcement operations have a history of aggressive tactics and sometimes ensnare U.S. citizens and documented residents.
- Nonprofits recommend creating safety plans with emergency contacts, memorized numbers, and, for high-risk individuals, measures like emergency guardianship or powers of attorney.
- Legal guidance emphasizes the difference between judicial warrants (signed by a judge) and ICE administrative warrants, which typically do not permit home entry.
- Organizations such as Siembra NC advise observers to document, remain an observer rather than intervene, identify themselves as volunteers, and attempt to stay within agents' line of sight.
- DHS denied that its agents engage in racial profiling during immigration operations, while advocates advise nonwhite Americans to exercise extra caution.
What to watch next
- Outcomes of the federal lawsuits filed by Minnesota and Illinois — not confirmed in the source
- Any announced changes to DHS or ICE operational scope and deployments in affected states — not confirmed in the source
- Updates to community and legal trainings about safe observation, documentation, and digital security as enforcement patterns evolve — not confirmed in the source
Quick glossary
- ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement): A U.S. Department of Homeland Security agency that enforces immigration laws and conducts deportation operations.
- CBP (Customs and Border Protection): A federal agency responsible for regulating and facilitating international trade, collecting import duties, and enforcing U.S. regulations, including at borders and ports of entry.
- Administrative warrant: A type of agency-issued document used in immigration enforcement that generally differs from a judicial warrant and often does not authorize home entry.
- Judicial warrant: A warrant signed by a judge that grants law enforcement specific powers, such as the authority to enter premises, typically based on probable cause.
- Power of attorney: A legal document that authorizes someone to act on another person’s behalf in specified matters, which some advocates recommend arranging as part of emergency planning.
Reader FAQ
Are U.S. citizens at risk during ICE and CBP operations?
The source reports that U.S. citizens have been harmed during enforcement actions and that standard protections may not eliminate the risk.
Can ICE enter my home with the paperwork they show?
Advocates distinguish between judicial warrants and ICE administrative warrants; administrative warrants typically do not authorize entry, but context and enforcement behavior vary.
Should I film immigration enforcement activity?
Community groups in the report recommend documenting actions to create an accountability record, while advising observers to prioritize safety and not intervene in law enforcement actions.
Is racial profiling by immigration agents happening?
DHS denied that agents engage in racial profiling; however, advocates interviewed in the article advise nonwhite people to be especially cautious and cite a 2025 Supreme Court ruling referenced in reporting about stops.
LILY HAY NEWMAN MADDY VARNER MATT BURGESS SECURITY JAN 13, 2026 5:30 AM What to Do if ICE Invades Your Neighborhood With federal agents storming the streets of American communities,…
Sources
- What to Do If ICE Invades Your Neighborhood
- Seven Ways You Can Take Action for Immigrants
- Know Your Rights: If You Encounter ICE
- RAPID RESPONSE TOOLKIT
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