The renewed focus on immigration enforcement under the Trump administration has led to increased controversy, including reported deaths and legal challenges. A central component of this effort is the work of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), tasked with deporting undocumented migrants.
Enforcement and its Consequences
The administration’s push to remove undocumented migrants has been marked by escalating concerns over ICE procedures. Five deaths have been linked to these procedures, the most recent being Renee Nicole Good, a white, widowed mother of three and a poet, who was fatally shot by ICE agents in Minneapolis this Wednesday.
ICE, headquartered in Washington D.C., employs over 20,000 people across 400 offices in 48 countries. According to the agency itself, its mission is to strengthen border security and prevent the illegal movement of people, goods, and funds into and out of the United States, as well as to combat terrorism.
However, ICE’s deportation efforts have drawn significant criticism. While the agency does not patrol borders – that is the role of the U.S. Border Patrol – it is responsible for enforcing immigration laws and investigating criminal and terrorist activity involving foreign nationals within the U.S. ICE is structured around five offices, including the Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Legal Pushback and Concerns Over Due Process
Concerns are mounting that ICE operations are increasingly skirting legal boundaries. The case of Kilmar Ábrego García, a Salvadoran migrant, exemplifies this. He was initially deported to El Salvador, then returned to the U.S. and detained while the government sought a third country to accept him, a move a Maryland federal judge, Paula Xinis, ruled in December as lacking legal authority and ordered his release.
Further reinforcing migrant rights, a federal judge in San Francisco recently ordered the immediate suspension of arrests of migrants attending asylum court appointments in Northern California. Similarly, a judge in Washington D.C. temporarily blocked the policy of detaining migrants after they turn 18, preventing their automatic transfer to ICE detention centers.
Deaths in Custody and Questionable Detention Centers
Since the start of the second Trump administration, at least 14 people have been shot by ICE agents, five of whom died, according to data from The Trace. In addition to deaths during encounters with ICE, at least 32 migrants have died while in ICE custody in 2025, succumbing to causes such as heart attacks, strokes, and suicide. These individuals had lived in the U.S. for decades or were actively pursuing asylum.
Amnesty International recently reported “systemic human rights violations” within immigrant detention centers, including Alligator Alcatraz, a facility in Florida operated by the state rather than ICE. Reports describe overcrowded conditions – up to 32 people in 93 square meters – constant lighting, poor ventilation, and a lack of legal assistance. Access to information about the center remains limited, with many requests for records ignored or denied.
The administration is also incentivizing undocumented individuals to “self-deport” through the CBP Home app, offering a $3,000 “exit bonus” to those who voluntarily leave the U.S. before the end of 2025. Authorities claim 1.9 million people have “self-deported” this year, though this figure remains unverified.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary role of ICE?
ICE is responsible for enforcing immigration laws within the United States, investigating criminal activity involving foreign nationals, and deporting undocumented migrants. It does not patrol the borders themselves.
How many employees does ICE have?
ICE employs over 20,000 people, distributed across 400 offices in 48 countries.
What is Alligator Alcatraz?
Alligator Alcatraz is a controversial immigrant detention center located in the Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida, operated by the state. It has been criticized for its lack of transparency and reports of inhumane conditions.
As the administration continues to prioritize deportation, it remains to be seen how these legal challenges and concerns over human rights will shape the future of immigration enforcement in the United States.
