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, which was captured on video, triggered protests in cities including San Diego, Houston, and Philadelphia. The Minnesota Timberwolves, a professional basketball team, held a moment of silence for Good during a game shortly after the shooting.

Protests against ICE have surged over the past year, with significant demonstrations occurring in Newark, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland. These events reflect a growing 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 expressing concerns about the agency's reliance on violence in its operations.

Polling data indicates a significant decline in ICE's approval ratings since the start of Trump's presidency, falling from a positive rating of +16 in February 2025 to -14 by November of the same year. A recent flash poll revealed a disapproval rate of 52%. This decline correlates with the implementation of more aggressive enforcement tactics, including a controversial directive for increased immigration arrests.

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

Public sentiment has also shifted regarding specific enforcement tactics. A January 2025 poll indicated 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 showed 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 in favor of its elimination, compared to 29% in the summer of 2018. This shift is particularly pronounced among independents and some Republicans, indicating 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 suggests 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, including the shooting of Good, Democratic lawmakers have suggested that public safety might improve if law enforcement ceased its enforcement activities. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer have both expressed concerns that law enforcement actions may escalate tensions and provoke conflict rather than resolve it.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey clarified that the ICE agent involved in the shooting was not run over during the incident, amid ongoing discussions about the role of ICE in urban areas and its impact on local communities. Frey expressed frustration over the situation, calling for federal investigators to pursue the truth.

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