In 2025, the U.S. government, under the Trump administration, altered longstanding practices regarding immigration enforcement, allowing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to conduct operations near schools, churches, and hospitals. This shift has led to significant fear within immigrant communities, resulting in reports of classrooms operating at reduced capacity as parents hesitate to send their children to school. In Rogers Park, Chicago, local residents have mobilized to counteract these immigration raids through various non-violent tactics, including obstructing ICE agents and using coded whistles to alert the community of impending raids.

The Protect Rogers Park group has reported receiving a high volume of calls from concerned community members, indicating a strong local response to the threat of deportation. Similar resistance efforts have been observed in other cities, such as Glasgow and London, where residents have intervened to prevent the detention of individuals by immigration authorities.

The podcast 'Criminal' has documented these community actions, highlighting the implications of government policies that allow for the detention of individuals without due process. The podcast raises critical questions about the legality and morality of such actions, suggesting that when government entities engage in unlawful practices, the very foundation of legal systems is called into question.

The historical context of ICE's establishment in 2003, following the events of September 11, 2001, and the subsequent increase in deportations under various administrations, illustrates a troubling trend in U.S. immigration policy. The current situation reflects a broader pattern of state aggression that disproportionately affects marginalized communities.

As the U.S. government seeks to export its anti-migrant agenda internationally, it is essential for communities to remain vigilant and proactive against xenophobic rhetoric and policies. The urgency of resisting such measures is underscored by the need to protect vulnerable populations from state-sanctioned violence and discrimination.