Tell Congress: Investigate ICE Retaliation Against Protests

ICE just killed yet another person in Minneapolis. And once again it was captured on cell phone video. "I have seen the video," Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said. "It is sickening."

This continues a disturbing trend. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are actively targeting protesters, legal observers, and journalists. People who filmed ICE agents, attended demonstrations, or monitored enforcement activity are being detained, questioned, sprayed with pepper spray, and worse.

A federal judge stepped in, ruling that ICE likely violated the First Amendment and ordering agents to stop retaliating against peaceful protest. That should have ended it. Instead, ICE appealed. Now, Congress must act.

Tell Congress: “Investigate ICE retaliation against protesters, defend the First Amendment, and make it clear that federal power cannot be used to silence dissent.”

Even after being told by a federal court to back off, ICE has escalated its aggressive enforcement surge in Minneapolis. 

Civil liberties groups and state officials documented arrests and encounters that appeared designed to silence dissent, not uphold the law. Photographers were targeted after documenting ICE activity. Protesters reported agents watching demonstrations and using enforcement power to intimidate people for exercising free speech.

When federal law enforcement punishes protest, the message is clear: speak up and risk retaliation. Accountability disappears. Congress cannot allow that. 

The House Oversight Committee and the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee must launch a full investigation into ICE’s actions. Lawmakers must subpoena internal directives, demand sworn testimony, and expose who authorized these unconstitutional tactics.

Oversight only happens when the public demands it. Silence gives ICE permission to keep going. Sign now — before this abuse becomes the norm.

The petition to Congress reads: “Investigate ICE retaliation against protesters, defend the First Amendment, and make it clear that federal power cannot be used to silence dissent.”

Photo credit: Fibonacci Blue