Recent ICE operations—including a fatal agent-involved shooting in Minneapolis, allegations of a warrantless arrest of a U.S. citizen, the detention of a 5-year-old, and a new Maine sweep dubbed "Catch of the Day"—have raised alarms about overly aggressive federal enforcement. A whistleblower-shared memo reportedly allows warrantless home entries for immigration arrests, which critics say may conflict with constitutional protections. Taken together, these developments have prompted concerns about a less accountable, more emboldened federal security posture.
ICE’s Growing Lawlessness, Explained: Warrantless Raids, 'Catch of the Day,' and a Troubling Pattern
A federal agent sprays chemical irritant directly into the face of a protester pinned to the ground in south Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 21, 2026. | Richard Tsong-Taatarii/The Minnesota Star Tribune via Getty Images
Over the past few weeks, a series of actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has drawn intense scrutiny. Taken together, these incidents have prompted critics to warn that enforcement practices are becoming increasingly aggressive and less constrained by legal norms.
What Happened?
Since an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Good in Minneapolis, several controversial episodes tied to federal immigration enforcement have emerged:
- An Alleged Warrantless Arrest: Federal agents reportedly arrested a U.S. citizen at gunpoint, marched him out of his home in his underwear in freezing weather, and did so without a judicial warrant.
- A Child Taken Into Custody: ICE detained a 5-year-old child. A Minneapolis-area school district said the child was allegedly used as "bait" in an attempt to apprehend others.
- Pepper-Spray Incident: Agents pepper-sprayed a man who was already in federal custody, spraying his face at close range.
- Criminal Charges Against Activists: Federal prosecutors brought charges against three Minneapolis-area activists after they interrupted a church service in St. Paul. Authorities also appear to have digitally altered an arrest photo connected with that incident.
- New Operation In Maine: ICE launched an operation labeled "Catch of the Day" in Maine that is focusing on Somali communities in Portland and Lewiston. The stated rationale has not been made clear, raising concerns about possible targeting of a specific community.
Warrantless Entries And A Whistleblower Memo
A memorandum reportedly shared with The Associated Press by a whistleblower instructs ICE agents that they may enter homes without a judicial warrant to carry out immigration arrests. If accurate, that guidance appears to conflict with constitutional protections and has intensified concerns about unchecked authority.
Why This Matters
Individually, these incidents are troubling. Collectively, they suggest a pattern of more militarized and expansive federal enforcement that critics say resembles occupation-style tactics rather than routine immigration work. Observers note that the Justice Department’s decision-making—such as prosecuting peaceful protesters or appearing slow to investigate the agent who killed Renee Good—adds to fears about eroding accountability.
What To Watch
Key items to monitor include any independent investigations into the Minneapolis shooting, official responses to the whistleblower memo, legal challenges to warrantless-entry policies, and further details about the Maine operation’s objectives and targeting criteria.
On a lighter note: With the Winter Olympics approaching, the author recommends catching up on figure skating coverage, highlighting Kathryn Xu’s reporting at Defector on skaters such as Amber Glenn and Ilia Malinin.
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