US Citizens and Legal Residents Report Surge in Racial Profiling by ICE Amid Trump Crackdown
In recent weeks, numerous US citizens and lawful permanent residents have come forward with alarming accounts of being racially profiled by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection agents. This trend has emerged following the Trump administration's intensified immigration enforcement efforts, which have swept across the nation, instilling widespread fear and prompting individuals to adopt extreme measures for their safety.
Personal Encounters with ICE Agents
Mohamed, a lawful permanent resident from Somalia residing in San Diego, California, described a terrifying incident in mid-January. While exercising in Colina del Sol park, he was encircled by four ICE agents wearing balaclavas and jackets emblazoned with the agency's logo. They demanded his green card and subjected him to a barrage of questions. Mohamed, who uses a pseudonym due to fear of retaliation, stated through a translator, "I was terrified." The encounter has left him with lasting anxiety, exacerbating his high blood pressure and causing him to abandon his daily exercise routine out of fear.
Similarly, Fernando, a US citizen and veteran in Nebraska, reported being pulled over by ICE agents last month. They claimed he matched the description of a Hispanic male they were seeking. Despite providing his Real ID and military details, Fernando said the agents became aggressive, throwing him to the ground and accusing him of interfering. The incident has left him emotionally scarred, leading him to travel only at night to avoid further targeting. "It feels like a slap in the face," he expressed, highlighting the betrayal felt from being questioned about his citizenship after years of service.
Community Impact and Organisational Responses
Community organisers have noted that federal agents are disproportionately targeting Black and brown neighbourhoods in states such as Minnesota, New York, Washington, California, and Illinois. ICE patrols have extended to locations like Home Depot stores, mosques, daycares, and construction sites, creating an atmosphere of surveillance and intimidation.
In response, organisations have ramped up efforts to support affected communities. For instance, the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council in Chicago has conducted over 50 "know your rights" trainings since Trump took office. They provide resources like whistles to alert neighbours of ICE presence and hand warmers for day labourers. In Minnesota's Cedar-Riverside neighbourhood, volunteers in green vests monitor areas with large Somali populations, using whistles to warn residents of ICE patrols near mosques and businesses.
Legal and Policy Context
The Trump administration has recently focused immigration enforcement on Somali communities, deploying thousands of agents in areas like Minneapolis, which hosts the largest Somali population in the US. Additionally, the administration announced the end of Somalia's temporary protected status designation in March, removing work authorisation and deportation protections for migrants from the country.
Legal recourse for racial profiling allegations is limited. Thomas A Saenz of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund explained that the Federal Tort Claims Act allows lawsuits against the federal government, but a Supreme Court ruling in September 2025 complicates matters by permitting agents to interrogate individuals based on perceived illegal status, with race as a factor. Saenz criticised the administration's approach, stating, "Anytime you impose a target for arrests, you encourage unconstitutional shorthands like racial profiling."
In contrast, Tricia McLaughlin, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson, denied the allegations, calling them "disgusting, reckless and categorically FALSE." She emphasised that enforcement is based on immigration status and reasonable suspicion under the Fourth Amendment, citing Supreme Court vindication.
Broader Implications and Safety Measures
The psychological toll on those profiled is profound. Sara, a US-born citizen of Persian descent in Tampa, Florida, reported being followed by a white SUV multiple times, leading her to carry passports constantly and suffer from hair loss and insomnia due to stress. In Maryland, Kate, a European US citizen, altered her routine to walk her Guatemalan foster child to school, fearing ICE might target him based on appearance.
As detention numbers reach record highs, with ICE holding 68,990 people as of 8 January 2026, communities remain on edge. Suleiman Adan of CAIR Minnesota likened ICE tactics to hunting, questioning, "Freedom for whom is really the question." This sentiment echoes across the nation, as individuals and organisations strive to navigate an increasingly hostile environment under current immigration policies.
