ICE: A Legacy of Fear, Not Safety

Photo by Jason Leung on Unsplash

By Paul Orlando

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a federal agency under the Department of Homeland Security, was created in 2003 to enforce immigration laws and investigate cross-border crimes. While its stated mission is to protect national security and public safety, ICE has instead become one of the most controversial agencies in the country.

Critics argue that its tactics routinely violate civil liberties, harm vulnerable families, and erode the very principles of justice and due process that America claims to uphold.

Raids That Shatter Communities

ICE has become notorious for its aggressive raids in homes, workplaces, and public spaces—often carried out by heavily armed, masked agents. These operations can result in mass arrests with little or no justification, leaving families torn apart and communities traumatized.

One of the most shocking examples came in Mississippi in 2019, when nearly 700 undocumented workers were arrested in workplace raids, leaving children stranded at schools and homes. More recently, an overnight raid on a Chicagoland apartment complex saw dozens of people—many of them U.S. citizens—dragged from their beds in nightclothes and detained outdoors for hours.

These raids, critics say, don’t make our communities safer. They make them terrified.

Inhumane Detention Conditions

ICE operates a sprawling network of detention centers—many run by for-profit corporations that profit off each detainee. These facilities have been condemned for overcrowding, poor sanitation, lack of medical care, and restricted access to legal counsel.

The infamous “Alligator Alcatraz” is perhaps the most notorious example, but it’s hardly unique. Reports of abuse, neglect, and even death have become all too common. According to official records, at least 16 people have died in ICE custody—and hundreds more are simply missing.

A 2020 report from the Office of Inspector General found spoiled food, unsanitary conditions, and grossly inadequate medical care in multiple ICE facilities.

Erosion of Due Process

Beyond physical detention, ICE has been accused of violating fundamental due process rights. Individuals are often detained without timely hearings, denied access to lawyers, or even deported before their cases are heard.

The agency’s use of “detainers”—requests to local law enforcement to hold individuals for ICE—has been ruled unconstitutional in several cases, leading to prolonged detention of U.S. citizens and legal residents without judicial oversight.

Surveillance and Fear

ICE has quietly expanded its surveillance powers, using facial recognition, license plate readers, and social media monitoring—often without transparency or accountability. In one case, ICE partnered with private data brokers to access utility and phone records, sidestepping legal safeguards meant to protect Americans’ privacy.

This unchecked surveillance, paired with ICE’s growing presence in schools, hospitals, and courthouses, has created an atmosphere of fear that discourages immigrants from seeking healthcare, attending school, or even reporting crimes. Agents have been known to wait outside immigration hearings to arrest individuals simply seeking to resolve their legal status.

A Bloated Budget, A Broken System

Despite its track record, ICE continues to receive massive—and growing—funding. The agency’s 2024 budget was roughly $37.5 billion, and it’s projected to rise to $45 billion, a 13% increase. Over the next four years, ICE’s spending could reach a staggering $150 billion.

To put that in perspective:

• Italy’s annual military budget: $30.8 billion

• Israel’s: $30 billion

• Brazil’s: $26.1 billion

We are spending more on an agency that terrorizes families than entire nations spend defending themselves.

The Call for Change

ICE was founded under the promise of protecting America. But two decades later, it has instead become a symbol of cruelty, fear, and unchecked power. From violent raids and inhumane detention to privacy violations and shattered communities, the agency’s impact has been devastating.

Reform isn’t enough—it’s time to rethink what justice and safety really mean in a nation that prides itself on freedom and fairness. Whether through deep structural reform or complete abolition, growing voices across the country are demanding an immigration system that reflects our values—not betrays them.