By Brandon Anderson
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, has made headlines across the United States by ramping up arrests and incarcerations of illegal immigrants that reside in America. As of 2026, President Donald Trump has invested over $75 billion dollars for the next four years. As the ICE budget increases, the question of the moral and legal ramifications of the department also increases. The department tactics and guidelines spark online and outside demonstration outrage throughout America.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff gave a speech last October, claiming ICE agents will be given immunity. “You have federal immunity in the conduct of your duties.” However, since October of 2025, there have been reports that 400 federal judges confirmed over 4,421 cases of ICE unlawfully detaining illegal immigrants and violating their human rights. This has been covered by NewsNation on February 14, 2026, along with the ACLU and The National Immigrant Justice Center suing ICE arrests.
There’s been a vocal concern from state authorities regarding federal law enforcement. As an organization, ICE operates on a federal level, not state level. In response, Police across the United States have made firm stances on ICE’s actions. During headlines and ICE protests breaking out, Philadelphia City Sheriff Rochelle Bilal gave a speech, demanding change, and threatening ICE Officers with arrests “…This should not happen, but we are here today.” “…No law enforcement professional wears a mask. None. None. Those that come into our communities wearing a mask to commit crime, I thank God for our District Attorney Larry Krasner, who says he’s gonna lock ’em up.”
Cleveland officer Trent Parker, also gave his piece with 30 years on the force to guide him. He explains the protocols that his team would follow “I believe that when they go into different cities, they will probably notify, said city authority— like, hey, we’re going to be in the area of conducting some warrants.” “They don’t necessarily want us to assist them. They basically will ask us; we need you for this or that.” “I just got done talking with some of the other fellow police officers…We’re kind of like up in air, we don’t know what we would do if I came into our city. We don’t know what our stance would be… because, they haven’t directly said okay— this is what’s going to happen.” “…But as far as what our role is going to be, we’re not even sure what is our role.”
It’s clear that there is confusion between organizations and public safety. This is the kind of confusion which leads to injuries and accidents.
One of the groups affected are international students here at Tri-C. When asked, multiple students had comments but all wanted to remain anonymous. “…The one word that I’d use is unjust” “…like a strong sense of injustice because a lot of people, including my family, you know, we were supporting Trump” “…we thought that by him being empowered, people would finally be at rest with, you know, the international affairs will finally settle down…” “…he promised to end a lot of things like the war in Gaza, you know, Israel. But the war is still going on to this day. And so just those unchecked promises kind of creates this resentment because a lot of people supported him. And yeah, he’s not delivering. So, when I think of ice and I think of everything, it’s just a feeling of unjustness.”
When asked about being more vocal, the anonymous student was very hesitant about the idea, stating “I try to avoid all those parades, like I distance myself, and I don’t really voice my opinions about these topics, especially if I know that my name is associated with them. Like, which is why I’m doing this interview, you know, as anonymous because I don’t want my name to be associated with going against the ice…” The anonymous student educated me on the restrictions VISA students have, as he recalled a situation where a friend of his VISA revoked when he was being vocal on social media about the issues, citing heavy moderation checks.
Another international student who wanted to remain anonymous states “…it’s scary.” When asked about ICE’S longevity, he continued by saying “I don’t know what will happen to them, to the people they get, uncertain because, I don’t know if that will last, like, for the next few years, or if it will stop.” Overall, as ICE continues its deportations, the vibe gathered from international within Tri-C’s community is fearful, but strong willed.
Tri-C’s population of international students ranges across 30 different countries, with over 17,400 students. Each of these students is affected and afraid due to ICE. These students already have to focus on the VISA process and the labors of college. They shouldn’t need to fear deportation or injuries just for speaking.
