The White House’s recent moves – ousting DHS Chief Kristi Noem and instructing House GOP members to stop saying “mass deportations” ahead of the midterms – look like obvious attempts to distract from the cruelty and the chaos. But Americans see through it. Actual enforcement tactics remain unchanged: the raids, the family separations, the unchecked abuse of power. Americans are rejecting the enforcement-only agenda, demanding accountability for ICE’s assault on their neighborhoods regardless of what the administration calls it or who’s in charge.
The proof is everywhere: in polling data, election results, bipartisan rejection of detention expansion, and in the stories Americans keep amplifying.
Here’s the proof: ICE operates with impunity – and Americans refuse to let the administration off the hook:
Latino Voters Make ICE Accountability An Electoral Priority
- Trump’s immigration enforcement approach is rejected by 86% of Hispanic voters, with only 14% supporting his hardline tactics. One-third of Latino voters say ICE is “out of control.”
- According to Equis polling, Latinos consistently rank the economy as their top priority, but immigration spiked to #2 in the latest poll (up three fold from October 2025 to February 2026)
- Latino voters reversed Trump’s 2024 gains by turning out in historic numbers for the Texas Democratic primary. Turnout hit 3 million – the strongest primary showing this decade, driven largely by Latino voters mobilizing against Trump’s immigration agenda.
- Latino voters who supported Trump in 2024 are experiencing buyer’s remorse, with Republican operatives reporting that Hispanic communities are “waning” in their enthusiasm for the party.
Polls Show Americans Demand ICE Accountability – And They Won’t Be Distracted
- 60% of Americans are now unfavorable towards ICE, reaching its highest unfavourability since Trump took office this term.
- 62% of Americans say ICE uses excessive force, a 11-point jump since October.
- Americans overwhelmingly demand accountability and transparency reforms: 84% support requiring full criminal background checks for all ICE agents, 86% support body cameras, 75% demand identifiable uniforms, and 59% say ICE agents should NOT wear masks.
- 58% of Americans believe Congress should withhold funding from ICE until the agency changes its approach – even if that means partially shutting down DHS. A similar majority would not support an elected official who voted to continue funding ICE after federal immigration agents opened fire on U.S. citizens in Minneapolis.
Communities Nationwide Reject Trump’s Detention Center Expansion
- Communities across America have blocked nearly 48,000 detention beds from Trump’s $45 billion expansion plan. Under community pressure, property owners in Texas, Missouri, Virginia, and Utah canceled warehouse sales, and at least 12 facilities nationwide have been stopped.
- After hundreds of residents packed commission meetings demanding ICE abandon a Tennessee 16,000-bed mega center, 24 of 25 Wilson County commissioners opposed the facility.
- GOP leaders, including Governor Kelly Ayotte (NH), Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA), have publicly opposed facilities in their districts.
- Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) introduced legislation requiring state and local consent before DHS can open new detention facilities.
Local Headlines Keep ICE Abuses Front and Center
- Chicago Sun-Times broke the story of a U.S. citizen detained 30 hours at O’Hare International Airport with no explanation, sparking Cook County officials to demand transparency and multiple congressional candidates to rally around accountability.
- Nashville Lookout highlighted the arrest of a Nashville Noticias reporter by ICE, allegedly in retaliation for critical reporting on the agency’s operations.
- The Oregonian reported how Federal Protective Service officers fired pepper balls and pepper spray against peaceful, nonviolent protesters at Portland’s ICE building.
- Pittsburgh PublicSource documented how ICE operations are devastating local immigrant-owned businesses, with owners shutting down out of fear and uncertainty.
Horrific Stories of the ICE Abuses Dominate the Online Conversation
- Gen Z creators are humanizing ICE victims and demanding accountability for police brutality, sharing powerful stories like that of 23-year-old U.S. citizen Ruben Ray Martinez, who was killed by ICE in South Padre Island while celebrating spring break and his birthday.
- Latino and immigrant-focused creators are amplifying the devastating stories of those detained by ICE, tracking cases at Dilley detention center and demanding Congressional transparency on conditions.
- Democracy creators are breaking from typical content to urgently address ICE’s impact on schools and children, calling their followers to reach out to local teachers and immigrant families to ask for ways to help.
- Other creators are directly challenging ICE’s false narratives, calling out ICE’s dishonesty and lack of accountability.
Americans see through the distraction. ICE accountability is non-negotiable.