Protests Erupt Across U.S. Over ICE Raids and Trump Policies

Nationwide protests broke out between January 19 and 20, 2026, targeting the immigration policies of Donald Trump and the activities of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Demonstrations occurred in New York City, Philadelphia, Portland, and Wenatchee, coinciding with Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the first anniversary of Trump's second term.

In New York City and Philadelphia, officials and protesters condemned ICE for conducting reckless raids. Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Attorney General Letitia James criticized the administration's approach, while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries accused extremists of attempting to erase Black history. The unrest was fueled by reports of agent violence, including the deaths of Renee Good in Minneapolis and Geraldo Lunas Campos in Texas. U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche subsequently announced that the Department of Justice would not investigate the agent responsible for the Minneapolis shooting.

Other regions saw preparations for increased federal presence. In Maine, residents in Portland and Lewiston protested planned ICE deployments, while in Wenatchee, Washington, peaceful demonstrators gathered to oppose aggressive enforcement tactics. Organizers also called for nationwide walkouts from work and school to mark the anniversary of the president's term.