Carter Scott ‘26, Entertainment Editor
Recently, the United States has seen an escalation in the number and intensity of operations conducted by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.). The sudden spike in raids, workplace sweeps, and coordinated crackdowns has stirred fierce debates between officials from all around the country over civil liberties, policy priorities, and ethics.
According to the Cato Institute, an organization that promotes the core American principles of individual freedom, “Since the beginning of this year, ICE book-ins based on ICE arrests have increased nearly sixfold, from a daily average of 215 to over 1,100 per day.” This astounding rise in arrests is due to the Trump administration’s extreme policies regarding immigration and citizenship. These strict policies, which were brought upon by Trump’s campaign promises of mass deportation, have led to devastating consequences.
The negative effects of the I.C.E. behavior can have on immigrants include, families being torn apart, a decrease in mental and physical health, and having to live in constant fear. Mass deportations also could negatively impact the U.S. economy and workforce, given the role immigrants play, particularly in certain industries, including health care.
Democratic cities, such as Chicago, have been a prime target for ICE attacks. Along with ICE, Trump is doubling down on efforts to bring in the National Guard to ramp up reinforcements. In a PBS article, American journalist William Brangham, reported some of the events taking place: “Handcuffing a city councilmember, deploying tear gas near a public school, and, in this stylized video shot and distributed by the Department of Homeland Security, rappelling from a helicopter and storming an apartment complex while families inside slept, it’s all part of a wave of aggressive actions by federal immigration agents in Chicago in recent weeks.” The examples of violence listed by Brangham allows readers to better understand how exponentially worse their actions are becoming.
As events spiral into more violent expressions of racial profiling, individuals and families have been harmed despite their U.S. citizenship. On Sept. 12, 2025, Silverio Villegas González, a Mexican immigrant, was fatally shot in Chicago after being pulled over. González, fearful and intimidated by the surrounding agents, attempted to flee the scene while dragging an agent with the car. After losing control of his vehicle, he crashed it into the side of a truck followed by, as witnesses say, at least one gunshot. The ICE agents who pulled him over tried justifying the killing as self-defense, but neither of them had a body camera nor were significantly injured.
A few things you can do protect yourself from the harm of I.C.E. includes knowing your rights. For example, remaining silent and refusing entry without a warrant are great ways to use your rights to your advantage. Remaining calm and carrying identification are also necessary for your protection and safety.
The increasing danger and harm that ICE is bringing to the U.S. is not something to be taken lightly. People are dying, families are being torn apart, and our economy could be negatively affected. During these unfortunate times, it is important to express equality, acceptance, and fair policing within our country.
Lyon Life 