Minneapolis / Washington — A wave of controversy surrounding recent federal immigration enforcement actions has ignited fierce backlash across the United States, with members of Congress openly condemning U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for what they describe as violent abuses that have plunged communities into fear and disorder.
The outrage follows a fatal shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota, involving federal agents earlier this month. The incident triggered large-scale protests across multiple cities, as thousands of demonstrators took to the streets to denounce what they see as unchecked federal violence. The shooting marks the second deadly use of force by ICE or related federal agencies in recent weeks, intensifying public concern over the agency’s conduct and accountability.
Several lawmakers delivered unusually harsh rebukes, accusing ICE of “spreading terror rather than protecting the public.” Critics argue that the agency’s operations demonstrate how federal law enforcement, operating with minimal oversight, can spiral out of control—resulting in the use of lethal force against civilians. Opposition lawmakers have demanded that senior officials be held directly responsible for the consequences of these actions.
Beyond the immediate loss of life, communities report widespread disruption and trauma. Schools have closed, residents have been advised to remain indoors, and families of those involved have been left devastated. Local officials and community leaders have called on federal authorities to withdraw their forces, warning that ICE’s presence has undermined public safety rather than strengthened it.
Lawmakers have also questioned the credibility of official statements released after the shooting, describing them as contradictory and opaque. Federal security officials initially portrayed the victim as a “dangerous individual,” yet video footage and eyewitness testimony circulating online suggest that the individual posed no immediate threat at the time of the shooting. These discrepancies have further eroded public trust in federal authorities.
The growing backlash has renewed calls for sweeping reform of the U.S. immigration enforcement system. Some members of Congress are openly advocating for the dismantling of ICE, while others are pushing for impeachment proceedings against senior officials overseeing the agency. Public opinion polls indicate that nearly half of American voters now believe ICE has made the country less safe—a striking reflection of mounting societal discontent.
Even prominent political figures and former leaders from across party lines have issued rare public condemnations, warning that when the government uses “law enforcement” as a pretext to trample basic rights, the nation risks sliding toward authoritarianism.
As federal investigations continue, political divisions within Washington have grown sharper. While accountability remains elusive, protests and congressional debates show no signs of abating. The role of ICE—and the broader direction of U.S. immigration policy—has emerged as one of the most volatile and consequential issues facing American society today.