Thousands Protest ICE Operations in Nationwide US Day of Action

Published: 31 January 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

Thousands of protesters filled streets across the United States on Friday during a coordinated national day of action opposing federal immigration enforcement. Demonstrations targeted Immigration and Customs Enforcement, widely known as ICE, and demanded the withdrawal of agents from Minnesota following the recent killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Organisers described the protests as a response to what they see as unchecked enforcement powers and a lack of accountability within the current immigration system.

The protests unfolded in major cities and smaller communities, reflecting growing national anger over immigration raids and enforcement tactics. Rallies took place in Philadelphia, New York, Columbus, Boise, and several other cities, with crowds gathering outside city halls, courthouses, and state buildings. Students in multiple states walked out of schools and universities, joining a broader movement calling for civil resistance and public pressure.

Friday’s actions were framed by organisers as a “no work, no school, no shopping” day. The aim was to apply economic and social pressure while drawing attention to immigration enforcement practices. Protest leaders said such measures were necessary to force political leaders to act, particularly as debates over homeland security funding continue in Washington.

Minnesota remained at the centre of the demonstrations. The state has seen weeks of protests after ICE significantly increased operations in Minneapolis. Tens of thousands had already rallied there the previous week, braving freezing temperatures to oppose the federal presence. On Friday, some local businesses closed entirely, while others stayed open but redirected profits to community support efforts.

In Minneapolis, several cafes and small retailers adopted alternative business models for the day. Some donated all revenue to mutual aid funds, while others offered free food and warm spaces for protesters. Organisers said these gestures reflected community solidarity and resistance to what they describe as state violence.

New York City saw one of the largest turnouts. Thousands marched through Manhattan in bitter winter conditions, chanting slogans against ICE and holding signs calling for reform. Protesters ranged widely in age, from students to elderly residents, many wearing heavy coats and gloves as they filled the streets.

On the west coast, demonstrations spread across California. Protesters gathered in San Francisco, Oakland, and Los Angeles, where tensions rose later in the evening. In downtown Los Angeles, a protest outside a federal building escalated after some demonstrators threw bottles and spray-painted slogans on the walls.

Authorities in Los Angeles declared a tactical alert as clashes intensified. According to local media, law enforcement officers used chemical irritants to disperse a crowd of about 200 people outside the Metropolitan Detention Center. The facility, which houses immigration detainees, has become a recurring focal point for protests.

Video footage shared online appeared to show protesters toppling a small structure and dragging a large dumpster to block a building entrance. Officers holding clear riot shields marked “police” stood their ground as objects were thrown. Organisers later stressed that the wider movement remains committed to nonviolent action.

Protest leaders say the demonstrations respond directly to several recent deaths linked to immigration enforcement operations. These include the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, Keith Porter in Los Angeles, and Silverio Villegas González in Illinois. Campaigners argue these incidents reveal systemic problems requiring urgent reform.

Student groups have played a leading role in organising the protests, particularly in Minnesota. Many of Friday’s national organisers are students at the University of Minnesota, who say their local actions inspired wider mobilisation. They argue that what began as a regional protest has now become a national movement.

Kidus Yeshidagna, president of the Ethiopian Students Union at the university, said the goal was to force national attention. He explained that economic pressure, walkouts, and boycotts were tools to demand accountability and legislative change. He urged lawmakers across the country to recognise the scale of public anger.

Yeshidagna was also involved in organising last week’s Minnesota shutdown, when thousands filled the streets despite extreme cold. He said students and community members felt compelled to act again, believing momentum was building rather than fading.

High school students also joined the movement in large numbers. In Tennessee, students in Knoxville walked out of classes to join an “ICE Out” protest organised by local activists. Videos showed teenagers chanting and holding signs while marching through city streets.

Sophie Pedigo, a senior at a Knoxville high school, said students should not feel unsafe in educational spaces. She said schools should be places of learning, not fear, and described immigration enforcement practices as deeply troubling. Her comments echoed sentiments shared by many young protesters nationwide.

School closures were reported in several states. In Tucson, Arizona, more than 20 schools closed as staff joined the strike or stayed home. Online footage also showed walkouts in cities including San Antonio and Salt Lake City, with hundreds of students participating.

In New York, hundreds of high school students marched toward a downtown park as part of the coordinated action. Volunteers with advocacy groups prepared public spaces, clearing snow and setting up areas for large crowds expected at rallies later in the day.

Activists say the rapid spread of the protests reflects shifting political attitudes. Manolo De Los Santos, executive director of the People’s Forum in New York, said ideas once considered unrealistic are now gaining traction. He described the concept of a general strike as newly relevant in the American political context.

Immigration advocates argue that the protests expose broader concerns about civil liberties and government accountability. Murad Awawdeh, president of the New York Immigration Coalition, criticised the administration’s approach, saying enforcement has focused on punishment rather than safety.

Family members and neighbours of those killed have reportedly contacted student groups to express support. Organisers say this has strengthened their resolve and reinforced their belief that the movement reflects community voices, not outside agitation.

Friday’s protests took place against a backdrop of political uncertainty in Washington. A partial government shutdown looms as lawmakers debate federal spending, particularly funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Senate Democrats are limiting DHS funding to push for reforms, including restrictions on ICE operations.

Proposed measures include banning agents from wearing masks, requiring warrants for arrests, and increasing independent oversight. The House of Representatives is expected to vote on a $1.2 trillion funding package on Monday, with the outcome likely to shape the next phase of protests.

For many demonstrators, the shutdown threat highlights deeper political failures. Protest leaders argue that repeated funding crises reflect an unwillingness to address structural problems within immigration policy and law enforcement oversight.

As night fell on Friday, protests continued in several cities, while others dispersed peacefully. Organisers vowed to maintain pressure in the coming weeks, saying the movement will not end with a single day of action.

Whether the demonstrations lead to concrete policy change remains uncertain. What is clear is that opposition to ICE operations has reached a new level of visibility, driven by students, community groups, and families demanding accountability.

The nationwide protests signal a moment of reckoning in the immigration debate. As lawmakers return to Congress, they face a public increasingly willing to disrupt daily life to demand change.