On January 8, 2026, two Venezuelan migrants, Luis David Nico Moncada and Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras, were shot by U.S. Border Patrol agents in Portland, Oregon. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) identified them as having connections to the Tren de Aragua gang, a criminal organization from Venezuela. Moncada, who entered the U.S. illegally in 2022, has a history of arrests, including DUI and unauthorized vehicle use, while Zambrano-Contreras entered in 2023 and has been linked to a human trafficking case.

According to DHS, Moncada allegedly attempted to run down an ICE officer with his vehicle, prompting the officer to fire in self-defense. Both individuals sustained injuries and were hospitalized. The incident has drawn criticism from local officials and sparked protests, with Oregon Democrats expressing support for the migrants and questioning ICE's actions. Portland Police Chief Bob Day noted that while the individuals were linked to a previous shooting investigation, they had not been formally named as suspects in any criminal activity.

In a related incident, on January 10, 2026, ICE conducted a targeted deportation operation in Minneapolis, resulting in the detention of an entire family. This operation prompted protests, with demonstrators labeling the actions as 'kidnapping.' Local officials, including Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara and Mayor Jacob Frey, framed the operation as necessary for community safety, emphasizing that ICE was executing warrants against individuals with criminal records.

An investigation by The Wall Street Journal has documented a troubling trend of federal immigration agents using deadly force against civilians in vehicles. Since July, there have been 13 reported incidents where agents fired at or into civilian vehicles, resulting in at least eight individuals being shot, including two fatalities. Notably, only one of the civilians involved was armed, raising concerns about the appropriateness of force used in these encounters.

The ongoing scrutiny of ICE and law enforcement practices reflects broader societal concerns regarding the implications of aggressive immigration enforcement on community safety and civil rights. Critics argue that narratives surrounding gang affiliations are often utilized to justify such actions, potentially exacerbating tensions between law enforcement and immigrant communities.