National 'ICE Out' Strike and Protests Sweep US Over Immigration Enforcement Violence
Hundreds of coordinated actions, including a widespread strike and numerous demonstrations, are scheduled to take place across the United States on 30 and 31 January 2026. Grassroots organisers are mobilising to protest against the activities of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in communities nationwide, following a series of high-profile incidents and fatalities.
Catalysts for the Widespread Demonstrations
The protests have been galvanised by the deaths of at least eight individuals in connection with ICE since the beginning of the year. Among these are the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, which were captured on video and have sparked significant public outrage. Activists are now demanding the permanent removal of ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from towns and cities across the country.
Recent polling from YouGov indicates that opposition to ICE has intensified, with more Americans supporting its abolition than opposing it. This shift reflects a broader national conversation about immigration enforcement and police accountability.
Structure of the Two-Day National Action
The first day of action, Friday 30 January, is being spearheaded by several student groups at the University of Minnesota. They are calling for a "national shutdown", urging participants to engage in no work, no school, and no shopping to halt funding for ICE. This "blackout" day, often described online as a general strike, aims to economically pressure authorities by disrupting normal activities.
On Saturday 31 January, the national grassroots organisation 50501 will lead an "ICE Out of Everywhere National Day of Action". This will encompass a variety of protests, demonstrations, and vigils across all 50 states and Washington DC, targeting ICE detention facilities, field offices, and airlines involved in transporting detainees.
Key Demands and Broader Campaigns
Organisers are advocating for justice for those detained or killed by ICE, highlighting cases such as Geraldo Campos, who died in ICE custody in Texas, and Liam Ramos, a five-year-old detained in Minnesota. They are also pressuring Congress to block Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding until ICE is dismantled and to pass legislation ending federal cooperation with local law enforcement.
Beyond street protests, 50501 is rolling out pressure campaigns including "No Housing for ICE", which urges hotels to stop accommodating ICE agents, and "#DontServeICE", targeting local businesses to refuse service. These initiatives build on previous actions in cities like Los Angeles and Minneapolis.
Growing Momentum and Future Plans
The protests reflect an intensifying national struggle over immigration enforcement, with demonstrations erupting in major cities like Los Angeles, New York City, and Portland, as well as smaller locales. Following the National Day of Action, organisers plan to participate in an "Impeach Trump National Day of Lobbying" on 17 February, underscoring their commitment to sustained advocacy.
Gloriann Sahay, a national coordinator with 50501, noted, "The temperature has drastically changed. It has increased from a burning fire to an inferno." This sentiment captures the escalating public demand for reform and accountability in immigration policies.
