Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are speaking out publicly to defend their work amid mounting political attacks, clarifying that President Donald Trump’s immigration policies are being carried out with due process and respect for human rights—not with cages or chaos.
In a revealing interview with Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum on The Story, four veteran ICE agents—identified only as Paul, Andres, Celina, and Daniel for safety reasons—discussed the dangers they face, the reality of modern immigration enforcement, and the misinformation being spread about their mission.
“There are officers here who’ve been attacked,” Paul said. “Many of us don’t tell our communities what we do for a living because of the risks. But at the end of the day, we’re simply enforcing the law.”
Paul emphasized that ICE officers are not “randomly rounding people up,” but are operating within the boundaries of immigration and administrative law. “We’re enforcing immigration law. That’s it. Nothing more, nothing less,” he said.
The agents described how enforcement operations are carefully planned and targeted—not arbitrary. “We know who we’re going after,” said Andres. “We have intelligence and we execute our missions accordingly. We’re not roaming the streets looking for anyone.”
Sometimes, collateral arrests are made, Celina noted. If an individual is stopped during an operation and is found to be in the country illegally, agents are obligated to act. “If someone has no legal status and we confirm that after vetting them, they’re taken into custody,” she said.
The agents also pushed back firmly against the common narrative that detainees are being kept in cages. “We don’t have cages. I’ve never seen a cage in any of our detention centers,” Andres said. He described the facilities as humane, with detainees provided beds, tablets to communicate with loved ones, hot meals, and access to showers.
Due process, the agents stressed, remains intact under President Trump’s leadership. Bond hearings continue to be held, and immigration judges determine case outcomes based on standard legal criteria.
“Whether someone is a flight risk or poses a danger to the community—all of that is still considered,” Andres explained. “We have not taken that right from anyone.”
Despite criticism, the agents said morale remains strong and their sense of duty unwavering.
“I’ve never met an ICE officer ashamed of their work,” said Daniel. “We are proud to serve. These are some of the hardest-working people you’ll ever meet.”
The interview comes as the Trump administration continues its robust enforcement of immigration laws, which officials say has significantly reduced illegal border crossings and increased the removal of criminal aliens.
Tom Homan, President Trump’s border security adviser, recently declared the southern border “more secure than ever,” crediting Trump’s aggressive stance against sanctuary cities and illegal immigration.
While some lawmakers and media outlets continue to paint a negative picture of ICE operations, the agents insist the reality is far different—and that their primary mission remains to keep Americans safe through the fair and lawful enforcement of immigration laws.
