ICE is Law Enforcement: JC Responds to Recent State Violence

We are all witnessing escalating state violence in Minneapolis and across the country. As stunned as we may feel, it’s not enough to watch in silence. The astounding organizing in Minneapolis and its growing national impact show us what’s possible when we unite, hold each other in grief, and, most importantly, organize toward the future we want, need, and deserve.

At JC, we are processing the immense state violence in this first month of 2026: at least 8 killings carried out by federal immigration enforcement across the country as well as 3 NYPD shootings here at home that have taken two lives and left another hospitalized. In this context, we are preparing for the fight ahead. 

Geraldo Lunas Campos, Parody La, Heber Sanchez Domínguez, Victor Manuel Diaz, Luis Beltran Yanez-Cruz, Luis Gustavo Nunez Caceres, Renee Nicole Good, and Alex Pretti. These are the names of those killed by ICE + CBP so far this year. And the list of those killed does not begin to capture the countless others who have been brutalized, caged, and terrorized—both in detention and on the streets.

It’s important to name that the violence we are witnessing from ICE, while horrifying and escalating at a terrifying pace, is not new. It is part of an unbroken history of state violence against people of color, immigrants, poor and working-class communities, and those who dare to dissent that far predates Trump.

Equally important to state is that ICE, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and other federal immigration agencies are law enforcement—full stop. Claims to the contrary are dangerous and misleading. Like all law enforcement institutions, ICE enforces the (often biased and unjust) law through force, cages, and violence. Like local police departments, ICE has a well-documented record of racial profiling and excessive force —targeting people based on appearance, accent, or ethnicity, and killing with impunity. Again and again, we see these agencies bend (and break) the law to their will, protected and empowered by the highest levels of government.

And just like local police, ICE relies on the same excuses to justify their violence. After ICEWatcher Alex Pretti was killed, Border Patrol agents claimed “he had a gun.” After ICE agent Jonathan Ross shot Renee Nicole Good, he said he “feared for his life.” We have heard this before. Minnesota officer Jeronimo Yanez killed Philando Castile after Philando calmly disclosed that he was legally carrying a firearm. NYPD Lt. Jonathan Rivera killed Allan Feliz because he claims he believed Allan’s vehicle was threatening officers’ lives. These are not coincidences—they are patterns.

While we may see moments in which local and federal law enforcement appear to be at odds as state and city governments grapple with Trump’s fascist power grab, we must remember: ultimately, they serve the same function – to protect state power and elite interests, not human life.

To create true community safety, we must intensify our fight to chip away at the scope and power of law enforcement. That includes the urgent demand to abolish ICE.

JC stands in fierce solidarity with the resistance in Minneapolis and with our immigrant neighbors here in New York City. Let our grief and rage be a source of power and let our love for our communities move us to action:

• Use tools like 5calls.org to contact your representatives and demand that they vote against any increase in ICE funding. (The Senate will be voting this week.)

• Continue #ICEWatch and #CopWatch to deter, de-escalate, and document law enforcement violence.

• Join JC and our allies in HandsOfNYC to rally in Foley Square this Friday, January 30, at 4pm as part of nationwide shut down called for by Minnesota organizers.

We keep each other alive. We fight because we love.