In recent weeks, reports have been soaring about the violent actions of ICE — the organisation carrying out Trump’s brutal administration, including his mass deportation initiative. On 5 January 2026 they deployed thousands of agents to conduct “the largest DHS operation ever”, their mission being based on claims that they are targeting the arrests of “fraudsters, murderers, rapists, and gang members,” despite numbers stating otherwise with 73% of those deported having no criminal convictions. Additionally, the past year reports the highest number of deportations since 2004, with 605,000 people since January 2025.
On 7 January 2026 the unjust killing of Renee Nicole Good took place. Renee was a 37-year-old mother living in Minneapolis and was shot while in her vehicle by an ICE agent, Jonathan Ross. This act was deemed not punishable by Trump, as he said the agent was using “self-defence,” claiming Ms Good was going to run him over with her car.
Two weeks later there was a second fatal shooting, this time a 37-year-old man called Alex Pretti, which again happened in Minneapolis, on 24 January. The DHS said that Pretti was killed on accounts of again, self-defence, as they alleged that the victim had a handgun – however, eyewitnesses, local officials, and Pretti’s family have strongly disregarded this claim and assure that it was a phone in his hand, videos from the incident show this. These two brutal killings of innocent people, among others, have sparked protests and uproar about the actions of ICE, and how they are growing worse every day.
In 2026, eight people have died already in dealings with ICE. These unjust displays of violence when they are “just doing their job” is inhumane. Videos have been surfacing on News outlets, and across the internet of ICE agents performing extremely violent acts on suspected illegal immigrants. They are violating the rights of innocent people, pregnant women, nurses, and even children, forcing us to question whether they are really doing their job. Trump has said that ICE raids “haven’t gone far enough” after being questioned about a young mother who was tackled to the ground.
The majority of U.S adults are in disarray about what is going on; 53% believe that the Trump administration has gone too far, however 36% still stand by it. In addition to this, many American celebrities have been using their platform to speak out about their disapproval of the recent events. At the 2026 Grammy awards, just last week, many artists spoke out including Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny, British singer Olivia Dean, and American singer Billie Eilish, who delivered a powerful statement saying “no one is illegal on stolen land.”
I spoke to various students at the University of Edinburgh about these recent events. 2nd year Noelle, who is from Nashville, expressed that she couldn’t even find the words to describe how she felt: “it is very strange and hurtful to see. It is also horrifying… I love The States, it’s a great place filled with so many amazing people… It is because I love the US that it is so hard to see its downfall.” She also went on to reference Kamala Harris’s speech where she said “America is the greatest idea humanity ever devised”, Noelle said she completely agrees with this: “the country is not yet formed to fulfil this, but it is what we should strive for – freedom, equal opportunity, a melting pot of cultures and backgrounds.”
An American member of staff, Elizabeth, told me that “I now obsessively check the news online, afraid to look away but also afraid of what will happen next. I worry about my Ethiopian friends in NYC who have young children. I worry about my younger brothers’ families in Florida who could be racially profiled.”
2nd year Scottish student Emma spoke about her concerns with year abroad allocations. She got accepted into the University of Chicago, however is unsure and anxious about whether she wants to go due to what is happening at the moment. “If I were to go, I would be risking my safety. I have family there, who are telling me that I shouldn’t come.”
What has been happening in the U.S since the beginning of the year is becoming increasingly impossible to ignore and has begun reaching all parts of the world. As deportation numbers continue to rise, and ICE’s violent actions are being justified by those in power, this can no longer be viewed as a few isolated incidents and is becoming a serious pattern of dehumanisation. Perceptions here in Edinburgh reflect growing concern, disbelief, and fear. Americans here are scared, and even non-Americans are being affected, showing the scale of this issue. Questions are arising now about accountability, human rights, and how the US government will continue to justify these events.
Photo by Steven Abraham on Unsplash