On January 7, 2026, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The incident, captured on video, led to protests in cities including San Diego, Houston, and Philadelphia. The Minnesota Timberwolves observed a moment of silence for Good during a game shortly after the shooting.

Protests against ICE have become increasingly frequent over the past year, with significant demonstrations occurring in Newark, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland. These events indicate a rising discontent with ICE's practices, particularly following the aggressive immigration policies of the Trump administration. Public opinion has shifted markedly against ICE, with many Americans voicing concerns about the agency's reliance on violence in its operations.

Polling data reveals a dramatic decline in ICE's approval ratings, which fell from a positive rating of +16 in February 2025 to -14 by November of the same year. A recent flash poll indicated a disapproval rate of 52%. This decline correlates with the implementation of more aggressive enforcement tactics, including directives for increased immigration arrests.

The backlash against ICE is part of a broader trend of diminishing support for Trump's immigration agenda. While initial support for deportations was relatively high, it has since decreased significantly, with a growing number of Americans expressing strongly unfavorable views of ICE.

Public sentiment has also evolved regarding specific enforcement tactics. A January 2025 poll showed that a majority of Americans opposed arrests at schools and churches, yet the administration continued these practices, leading to further public disapproval. A subsequent poll indicated that 66% of Americans opposed detaining citizens during raids, and 70% disapproved of the use of zip ties on children.

Support for abolishing ICE has reached an all-time high, with 42% of U.S. adults favoring its elimination, compared to 29% in the summer of 2018. This shift is particularly pronounced among independents and some Republicans, suggesting a growing consensus against the agency's existence.

In contrast, public approval for protests against ICE has also increased, with 44% of respondents expressing support for such demonstrations. This reflects a significant change in public perception, as more individuals recognize the implications of ICE's enforcement tactics on communities and families.

In light of recent incidents, Democratic lawmakers, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, have suggested that public safety might improve if law enforcement ceased its enforcement activities. They argue that the presence of law enforcement often escalates tensions and violence, contributing to civil unrest.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey clarified that the ICE agent involved in the recent shooting was not run over, emphasizing the need for accountability in federal enforcement actions. He expressed frustration over the incident, stating, 'I dropped an F-bomb. They killed somebody,' and called for federal investigators to pursue the truth.

These developments collectively illustrate the complex interplay between state actions, public safety, and community responses, raising questions about the implications of militarized enforcement and the need for accountability in law enforcement practices.