Across American cities, masked and heavily armed agents are conducting aggressive arrests, often traveling in unmarked vehicles and wearing military-style gear. These agents—part of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)—are operating under expanded authority granted by President Donald Trump, targeting undocumented immigrants and others suspected of violating immigration laws.
ICE, a federal agency under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has been central to President Trump’s sweeping immigration enforcement efforts. On the campaign trail, Trump pledged to launch “the largest domestic deportation operation in American history,” and since returning to office, he has moved swiftly to make that promise a reality.
Massive Funding Boost, Expanded Powers
In July, Congress passed Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” authorizing $75 billion in ICE funding over the next four years—up dramatically from its previous $8 billion annual budget. The infusion of funds will enable the agency to hire thousands of new agents, expand detention facilities, and deploy advanced surveillance tools, including AI-driven facial recognition and mobile tracking systems.
An additional $30 billion has been allocated specifically for frontline operations such as deportation logistics and transportation to detention centers.
Trump has vowed to deport all individuals in the country illegally—an estimated 4% of the U.S. population, according to The Wall Street Journal—and ICE is scaling up accordingly. In June 2025, ICE agents averaged 1,000 arrests per day, a 268% increase from the same time last year, though still short of the 3,000 daily goal set by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller.
Masked Agents, Public Backlash
ICE’s aggressive tactics—including agents wearing masks and declining to identify themselves during operations—have sparked fierce criticism, even from conservative media outlets like Fox News. Critics say these unmarked raids resemble tactics used by secret police in authoritarian states.
Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries condemned the move, stating, “We’re not behind the Iron Curtain. This is not the 1930s.”
ICE Acting Director Todd M. Lyons defended the mask policy, citing the rise in doxxing and assaults against ICE agents. DHS data shows 79 reported assaults on agents between January and June 2025, compared to just 10 in the same period last year.
ICE’s Expanding Role
ICE consists of three primary divisions:
- Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) – handles deportations and detention
- Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – investigates transnational crimes like trafficking and smuggling
- Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA) – manages legal proceedings related to immigration
Since January, the Trump administration has authorized expedited removals—allowing ICE to deport individuals without court hearings if they entered the country under previous legal protections. In May, Lyons also reversed a 2021 policy barring ICE arrests at immigration courts, opening the door for arrests of witnesses, victims, and defendants who do not pose national security threats.
ICE has also reportedly detained green card holders, tourists, and even U.S. citizens in recent months, raising legal and ethical concerns.
Surveillance and Detention on the Rise
According to The Washington Post, ICE has been ordered to significantly increase the use of GPS-enabled ankle monitors, expanding surveillance of undocumented immigrants and restricting their movements. This surveillance effort comes alongside growing public protests.
Clashes in California
California has emerged as a flashpoint in the national debate. After a series of aggressive raids in Los Angeles, mass protests erupted on June 6, resulting in clashes between ICE agents and demonstrators. In response, the White House deployed 2,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to the city—over the objections of Governor Gavin Newsom.
Tensions between federal and state authorities have continued to rise, particularly in sanctuary cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco, which have adopted local laws limiting cooperation with ICE, including California’s SB 54, which bars local law enforcement from aiding civil immigration enforcement.
Looking Ahead
As President Trump accelerates his hardline immigration agenda, ICE is at the center of a rapidly expanding federal operation. With billions in new funding and fewer restrictions, the agency’s presence on American streets is growing—and so is the national controversy surrounding it.
