When walking in downtown Portland, people frequently pass by a building with protesters outside, often unaware that the building is the U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

 ICE is a federal agency that enforces customs laws to protect public safety. 

This is what ICE is supposed to do, but lately, more and more innocent people have been detained and taken away from their families. Just this year, 71.5 percent of ICE arrests have been of people with no criminal background. Normal people with jobs, families and homes have been arrested just because of their race. 

 Many are affected by the raids that keep happening—families are being separated, people are scared to leave their homes and depression rates have been increasing. Many families struggle to live a normal life; living in constant fear should not be how people live. Many people have to stop working because of the fear, and some kids stop going to school, as ICE has started entering schools. A kid’s education has to pay the price for ICE’s actions, which is wrong. 

ICE affects not just immigrants but everyone. ICE is being funded with more money, money that the government doesn’t have. Their money is coming out of health care and schools, which directly affects every citizen, not just immigrants. Another act that is an effect is the Big Beautiful bill. The “big beautiful bill” affects the lower and working class in many different ways. This bill causes over 15 million people to lose their health care, not only health care but nutrition as well, since many schools are having to get rid of financial aid for children who need to get food. This bill has major budget cuts for schools. 

ICE agents are not peaceful. They beat those who are detained. Some people get beaten just because they are not a US citizen. These acts are inhumane and unjustified, and they are traumatizing to the victims and their families. 

Many of these immigrants who have suffered came to the US to give a better life to their kids and families. They’re not dangerous, nor are they criminals; they are people who love and care for others. These people want to give opportunities and possibilities they never had to their children. ICE is not promoting safety; instead, it is traumatizing and harming families.