The American public is increasingly critical of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, particularly following a violent incident at the beginning of January 2026. A CBS News/YouGov poll conducted from January 14 to 16 revealed that 52 percent of respondents believe ICE is making communities less safe, while 61 percent feel the agency's tactics are excessively harsh. Additionally, 56 percent indicated that ICE is not focusing on dangerous criminals.

This shift in public sentiment follows the shooting death of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother, by ICE agent Jonathan Ross on January 7, 2026. Good was shot in the head as she attempted to drive away after dropping her child off at school. The incident, captured on video, has sparked significant public outrage and protests against ICE's practices. Following Good's death, two-thirds of Americans expressed disapproval of the execution of the Trump administration's deportation program, despite being divided on the president's overall immigration goals.

In response to the incident, anti-ICE protests erupted in over 500 cities across the United States, demanding accountability from the agency. These protests have reportedly raised concerns among Trump administration officials, as internal polling indicates a majority of Americans do not support ICE's current tactics. A senior White House aide noted that while President Trump desires mass deportations, he is uncomfortable with the public perception of these actions.

The CBS poll also found that 54 percent of Americans believe the shooting of Good was unjustified, and 53 percent support reducing ICE's operations. The growing anti-ICE sentiment is further reflected in a separate poll from The Economist/YouGov, which showed that support for abolishing ICE has risen from 19 percent in September 2024 to 46 percent in January 2026.

In a related development, reports from the International Institute of Minnesota on January 18, 2026, detailed distressing experiences of several refugee families following actions by federal agents. A Venezuelan couple reported that their 20-year-old son was taken from their home by masked federal agents, who claimed to be conducting routine paperwork. This incident is part of a broader trend involving the detention of recent immigrants who have applied for but not yet received their permanent residency, commonly known as Green Cards.

The refugees are swiftly transported to the Whipple Federal Building at Fort Snelling and subsequently moved to Texas, often without due process or access to legal representation. Jane Graupman, the executive director of the International Institute, noted that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is currently reviewing the refugee status of approximately 5,600 individuals in Minnesota who have entered the country legally but are still awaiting their Green Cards. This initiative is part of Operation PARRIS (Post-Admission Refugee Reverification and Integrity Strengthening), which aims to enhance vetting processes for these individuals.

The DHS memo indicates that ICE will play a significant role in this operation, although it does not explicitly mention planned arrests. As of the previous week, at least 100 individuals had reportedly been detained, according to estimates from another local nonprofit, the Advocates for Human Rights.

The memo from DHS characterizes Minnesota as a focal point in the fight against immigration fraud, asserting that the current administration is committed to protecting American citizens and the rule of law. However, the implementation of these policies has raised concerns among advocates, who argue that the individuals targeted have already undergone extensive background checks and health screenings prior to their arrival in the U.S.

Graupman expressed skepticism regarding claims of fraudulent applications, highlighting the rigorous vetting process that refugees must navigate. She noted that many of those affected have not been in the country long and may be from countries currently facing processing delays for Green Card applications.

The situation has created an atmosphere of fear among immigrant communities, with reports of ICE agents conducting surveillance and detaining individuals without clear justification. Advocates for refugees emphasize that many of the issues leading to delays in Green Card applications are administrative and do not pose a threat to national security. Additionally, the Trump administration has announced plans to suspend immigrant visas from 75 countries, further complicating the immigration landscape and heightening anxiety among refugees regarding their safety and the well-being of their families amid these aggressive enforcement measures.