ICE tactics are growing more violent

Question

ICE presence has been increasing significantly across the country. Especially in states that are considered more welcoming to immigrants. Due to the outbreak of protests, changes in laws, etc, there are public concerns that ICE tactics have become more violent.

Answer 1

Although the original statement provided little evidence, I conducted research to verify its accuracy.  Since mid-2025, ICE interior enforcement had increased significantly across the United States including in the states and cities traditionally considered more welcoming to immigrants. Numerous reports and lawsuits have highlighted the aggressive and potentially unsafe tactics used by some ICE agents. For example, “Another video, from Broadview, Ill., near Chicago, appears to show a man outside an ICE facility getting shot in the head with a pepper ball, a projectile filled with chemical irritants. That man, Pastor David Black, has sued the Trump administration (Anderson, 2025). This incident illustrates the dangers posed by some ICE operations and the extreme measures sometimes used during arrests. Similarly, Ed Yohnka, director of communications and public policy at the ACLU of Illinois, observes that "What we're seeing is a general escalation of violence and the use of excessive force by ICE officers," which has brought a lawsuit against the Trump administration for violating the constitutional rights of protesters. (Anderson, 2025). This quote emphasizes that these events are not isolated incidents, but rather they reflect a pattern and public concern regarding ICE’s enforcement methods, promoting legal challenges over agency's adherence to civil rights and ethical standards. 

In addition, ICE agents have followed people to locations such as their homes, car washes, and outside stores, creating a sense of constant intimidation and threat. As noted in the article, “ This administration, though, is taking a different tack. This administration has repurposed the way they’ve operationalized ICE, to go out and get as many people as possible, and that’s why we’re seeing these raids on the car washes and on the Home Depot parking lots. They know they can make a large number of arrests there, and they don’t seem to care whether or not those people pose a threat to public safety. They just say, “If you’re undocumented, you’re a fair target.”(Misra, 2025). Under Trump, ICE now conducts large-scale, indiscriminate sweeps, such as raids at car washes, Home Depot parking lots, and apartment buildings, often without regard for criminal history. This shift from targeted operations to mass arrests is a key indicator of increased aggression. Individuals are being treated as criminals simply for being undocumented, effectively stripping them of basic rights and mistreating them. For example the article reports, “ We’re seeing ICE agents display really heavy-handed use of force, smashing in car windows, shoving people to the ground, smoke bombing people, pepper spraying” (Misra, 2025). This type of behavior is really uncalled for and extremely unprofessional coming from ICE agents. These actions are excessive, unprofessional, and highlight the horrible aggressive approach these ICE agents have adopted under the current administration. 

Articles Used: 

(Anderson, 2025)

https://www.npr.org/2025/10/13/nx-s1-5566785/ice-dhs-immigration-tactics-more-violent

(Misra, 2025)

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/10/14/former-ice-director-q-a-00603916

Comments

I appreciate how much depth you put into your fact check. The original comment did not have much substantial evidence, and I am impressed by all the information that you were able to incorporate. Your fact check was very helpful due to the information on how ICE tactics have changed over time. I appreciate how you included lists of where these attacks are occurring. The intimidation and fear factor is super important to note, and showcases how ICE agents are attempting to make people feel watched and unsafe. Overall, you offered so much perspective and attention to detail, which really helped your fact check.

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This is a very detailed and well-written fact check. As touchy a subject as it is, you did a great job breaking it down into something easy to understand. You could have also included a source from the opposing view and debunked that even further.

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this is very well said and is written in amazing detail!

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You’ve gathered strong examples of aggressive tactics, but to fully support the idea that ICE tactics are growing more violent, there needs to be clearer evidence of change over time, not just current incidents. The NPR and Politico articles show violence and escalation under the Trump administration, but they don’t include a comparison to earlier enforcement periods (for example, Obama-era removal statistics or DHS use-of-force reports). Without a baseline, it’s hard to tell whether the increase is in frequency of force, severity, or just in media coverage and transparency.
It might help to incorporate government oversight documents (like DHS Inspector General reports or litigation data from the ACLU) that show whether complaints or excessive-force findings have risen year to year. That would transform this from “ICE is violent” to “ICE violence is measurably escalating,” which is a much stronger and more defensible claim.

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You went about answering this brief, yet broad claim very well. Your effort toward explaining this current issue in a comprehensive manner is evident. Overall, the information you gathered paints the picture of violence by ICE and how it has manifested today. I do agree with other commenters that it would be interesting to know more about account of ICE from the past.

Answer 2

The tactic that ICE is using is not at all peaceful and is completely violent and forceful with whoever they are trying to get. The primary source I found is multiple clips within a video of ICE officers violently arresting them which is a strong source showing that they are not gentle whatsoever. The other source is another video news clip talking/ showing the ice raids that are happening in Chicago. This could be slightly biased just based on the tone, but it still does portray the facts. Theres video proof that does support the claim I am making. Their tone could possibly making it more extreme on what it is.

https://www.msnbc.com/top-stories/latest/ice-agents-violent-video-arrests-trump-immigration-crackdown-rcna237373

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/ice-escalates-aggressive-raids-in-chicago-as-trump-moves-to-deploy-national-guard#transcript

Comments

I think it is good that you were able to find other articles to show that this statement is true. It is also good that you admitted that this answer could be biased but next time try not to have a bias in your answer. It is good that you are passionate and you have also stated facts but by being bias you can ruin the integrity of an answer.

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I like how you overall responded to the claim. However I think it would be great if you expanded on the issue. Why Is ICE getting more violent? and more specifically how? In your answer you didn't state how they were before so how do I as the reader know they are getting more violent?  Along with this I think it would be great if you included more unbiased sources to back up your claim and give you a stronger base to support your argument. Thank you and Great job!

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You do a good job citing sources that support the claim made above. However, I think if you went in more detail and added quotes to your answer about specific circumstances that would support the claim that ICE has become more violent, it would help support your answer.

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This is so true! I feel like trump is statrting to get mad and is rising angerly because he seems to not be able to find all of the colored people around so he is trying to make ICE more agressive and violent.

Answer 3

Are ICE tactics growing more violent? Not necessarily, it doesn't seem as if ICE has became more violent recently. From what I found ICE has always been pretty violent. Based on a article from Politico, "Why is ICE so Aggressive Now?" the piece describes aggressive behavior but does not conclude that ICE as an institution has suddenly become more violent. The article points to the consistent aggression and violence that ICE has essentially always had. Former ICE director John Sandweg explains, "In my experience, most ICE agents do their jobs… We’ve seen some incidents where that hasn’t been true,” suggesting that aggressive incidents are not new but rather part of ICE’s enforcement. Furthermore after looking at two different videos of violent ICE incidents one from yesterday (during this "growing violence" of ICE) and one from 2 months ago, I can conclude that both of the incidents are on the same level of violence which proves that ICE is not necessarily becoming more violent. The first video from yesterday is from WHAS11 News (Louisville local news). In the video a suspected illegal immigrant is being chased by an ICE agent and ultimately leads to a violent crash between the two vehicles. Now in the other video from KTLA5 a man is shot and killed by ICE agents. This shows that violence form ICE has always been a problem and isn't just now becoming one. ICE has always had problems with violence. My sources may be biased because Politico could have political opinions, and local news like WHAS11 and KTLA5 might focus on violent stories to get more attention. Overall from what I found, ICE tactics are not becoming more violent.

Comments

I appreciate how, in this fact check, you don't necessarily disagree with the claim; you just specify how this "isn't a new thing," so to speak, and ICE has always had violent tendencies. Also, good job on noting possible biases in a couple of your sources, but because of that, I would suggest adding a source with the possibility of an opposite bias to show "both sides".

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You're right that ICE's brutality isn't necessarily "new" necessarily, but I think your conclusion can be a little more detailed. Comparing two recent videos isn't sufficient evidence to establish long-term trends for what ICE is up to — you'd need systematic data or reports over time. Also, Politico's article is interested in tone and perception of policy across different administrations, so it might be intriguing to compare other reports to see if the incidence of violent events really has changed.

Answer 4

I noticed that ICE's presence has been growing a lot lately even in states that support immigrants. Its now gotten to the point where immigrants can no longer feel comfortable in their own home or community because they never know who can be against them. And thats why i think so many people are protesting against ICE to no longer use harsh or more violent tactics. This makes me wonder if these acts are helping or just creating more fear and division

Comments

This is more of an opinion than a fact check to the claim. Although you have some good ideas backing it up with evidence through sources and links would elevate this statement. Being more specific to what people and what places are being heavily targeted could also add substance to your answer.

Answer 5

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was created in 2003 as part of the new Department of Homeland Security. ICE’s mission is supposed to be protecting homeland security, and promoting public safety by enforcing federal laws. Since January of 2025 ICE has evolved into something dangerous. History of ICE To say they are growing worse is not a stretch. ICE is routinely forceful with whoever they’re targeting. Citizens' fear of ICE is growing. No one wants to be the target or victim of violence, yet increasingly people who have misfortune and encounter ICE are encountering unreasonable and excessively violent behavior from agents. In an article from NPR Seth Stoughton, a law professor at the University of South Carolina indicates, “We look at the situation through the lens of the reasonable officer on the scene,” adds Stoughton. “It might be perfectly reasonable for an officer to step in front of someone, raise a hand and say, ‘Stop. I need to talk to you.’ And it would be totally unreasonable for the officer to put a gun in that person's face and say, ‘Stop or I’m going to shoot you.’”NPR  ICE has escalated to using extreme tactics to get individuals to get what they want. Breaking into people's homes, using chemical gases, use of guns, and other acts of physical violence are not uncommon to hear about these days from victims of ICE. A PBS article emphasizes, “Activists, residents, and leaders say increasingly combative tactics used by federal immigration agents are sparking violence… “They are the ones that are making it a war zone,” Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said Sunday on CNN. “They fire tear gas and smoke grenades, and they make it look like it’s a war zone.”” PBS  This quote illustrates how scary and intense it can be. It is mentioned later in the article more than 1,000 immigrants have been arrested just in the Chicago area since ICE’s rampage. In many large cities around the country the numbers of people being targeted seem to be rising. In a TRAC report from this year it states that Texas has the most ICE detainees but all over the country the numbers are growing. TRAC Immigration Reports It’s been brought to attention that the ICE police are not trained how to properly deal with people. This can help explain, but not excuse the violent tactics that are being used. In another NPR article they spoke with Gil Kerlikowske who was the former commissioner of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, he shares these insights, “Immigration officers are not prepared to police an urban environment, and good policing in cities is about getting the public to trust you.” NPR Network  The use of weapons and other defense techniques are worsening and are violating people's basic rights. ICE’s actions are unacceptable, unprofessional, and traumatic not just for the people being detained but for others to watch. This behavior continues to escalate and become more aggressive.

Answer 6

According to my research, this statement is true. The issue is especially severe in large cities with high immigration rates, one of which is Chicago. TIME reported that the Trump administration authorized military-style ICE raids in the city. Around 1 a.m. on a Tuesday morning, armed federal agents reportedly rappelled from helicopters onto the roof of a five-story residential apartment in Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood. The agents forced their way through the building, kicking down doors and deploying flash bang grenades, rounding up terrified adults and children. Witnesses said dozens were detained with zip ties and arrested. “They just treated us like we were nothing,” said Pertissue Fisher, a U.S. citizen who lived in the building, in an interview with ABC7 Chicago. She recalled being handcuffed, held for hours, and released around 3 a.m, the first time she had ever had a gun pointed at her. ICE appears to be taking advantage of its authority and using excessive force against communities, creating an atmosphere of fear and trauma. The increasing violence of these raids shows how dangerously out of hand the situation has become, leaving families suffering and afraid for their safety and that of their children.

Further evidence from multiple reputable sources supports the claim that ICE operations became increasingly aggressive during this period. POLITICO interviewed a former ICE chief who explained that the agency’s forceful tactics were a direct result of political directives from the Trump administration, which pushed for a tougher approach to immigration enforcement. WTTW Chicago also reported that ICE “strike teams” operated across Chicago and other major U.S. cities, even as local governments opposed such actions. The consistency of eyewitness accounts and reporting from TIME, POLITICO, ABC7 Chicago, and WTTW provides strong evidence that the Trump administration’s ICE conducted militarized and violent immigration raids across the United States, proving the claim true.

Why Is ICE So Aggressive Now? A Former ICE Chief Explains. - POLITICO 

While National Guard Deployment Remains Blocked, ICE Strike Teams Escalate North Side Raids | Chicago News | WTTW 

Answer 7

The source of this article, though not always 100% factual, relied heavily on eye witnesses, which is a credible source. people on the front lines gave quotes, which validates the credibility. As for what they are reporting on, many other news outlets have articles expressing the same concern for their escalation of violent attack, such as the Guardian and Washington Post. With all the videos and first person account surfacing, it is impossible to deny the level of escalation this situation has received. This article by Washington post further explains the inhumane tactics being used by ice, headlining with "ICE's use of full-body restraints during deportations raises concerns over inhumane treatment" (https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/2025/10/14/immigration-deportations-trump-administration-civil-rights/886347d2-a8f5-11f0-a2bc-82cf6840599d_story.html). With multiple news sources expressing their concern, as well as protests breaking out across the country, it is safe to say this article is credible. 

Answer 8

I think statement is true. I think this because in an article I just read, it shows 2 ice workers pinning someone of color down to the floor while hes screaming for help in spanish AND english. There is also a statement in that same article that a guy got shot in the head by an ice worker. https://www.npr.org/2025/10/13/nx-s1-5566785/ice-dhs-immigration-tactics-more-violent

According to the article below, trump is making ice become more violent even if they dont want to because trump really wants to make "america great again". immigration has always been one of the most polarizing but is even more it now. https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/10/14/former-ice-director-q-a-00603916

Answer 9

After some research there seems to be some truth to this claim but it isn't fully proven. ICE has been seen more in certain cities, especially in ones that are known to have more immigrants like Chicago for example. Which has raised some concern from the public causing protests. In some of those situations, tactics like tear gas has been used to control crowds (The Guardian, Sept. 19, 2025). A judge in Chicago even ordered ICE agents to start wearing body cams after complaints about their behavior during arrests and protests (Reuters, Oct. 17, 2025). With this being said, there is not solid data that I could find showing that ICE activity has increased everywhere or that their tactics are more violent overall. Most of the concerns seems to be coming from specfic high profile incidents rather than confirmed stats. 

https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/judge-orders-federal-immigration-agents-use-body-cameras-chicago-2025-10-17

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/19/ice-protest-chicago-police