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Riley Gaines, a prominent anti-transgender activist and former collegiate swimmer, recently made headlines during a “Policy Celebration” at the US Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C. on 8 January 2026. While embracing her role as a new mother, Gaines used her platform to express staunch support for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), dismissing the outcry surrounding the agency’s controversial practices. This stance has ignited a fierce debate among conservatives and the wider public, as empathy for victims of immigration enforcement clashes with a growing movement that promotes a hardline, anti-immigration agenda.
A Mother’s Perspective on Immigration Enforcement
Gaines, who welcomed her daughter Margot in September, has firmly intertwined motherhood with her political messaging. Speaking on her podcast, she addressed the case of Liam Ramos, a five-year-old boy taken by ICE agents in Minneapolis, whose plight garnered national attention after images of the child in distress circulated widely. While many expressed outrage at the scene, Gaines took a divergent path, expressing gratitude towards ICE, stating, “Thank you for not abandoning that five-year-old boy like his father did.” This comment, however, was met with significant backlash as eyewitness accounts suggest that the boy’s father had been detained, rather than abandoning him.
In an effort to reinforce her message, Gaines urged her followers to avoid being swayed by what she termed “compassion” for victims of ICE actions. “Do not let compassion, or what you believe to be compassion, cloud you or suspend you from thinking critically,” she asserted, highlighting her commitment to a narrative that paints ICE’s actions in a positive light.
The Womanosphere and Its Allies
Gaines is a central figure in what has been dubbed the “womanosphere,” a movement primarily composed of conservative women who advocate for an anti-feminist agenda. Alongside allies like Allie Beth Stuckey, a conservative podcaster, they promote the idea that ICE’s aggressive immigration policies are morally justified. Stuckey recently took to social media to rally against what she perceives as “anti-ICE propaganda,” arguing that emotional messaging around cases like Liam’s is a deliberate attempt to manipulate public sentiment.
Stuckey has previously authored a book titled *Toxic Empathy*, in which she critiques what she views as a dangerous trend of compassion that undermines conservative values. Her assertions reflect a broader concern within the womanosphere that empathy can weaken moral resolve, particularly when directed towards marginalized communities.
Growing Dissent Among Conservatives
Despite the strong pro-ICE rhetoric from figures like Gaines and Stuckey, there are signs of shifting attitudes among some conservatives. A recent poll by the Economist indicated a slight uptick in support for abolishing ICE among Republicans, rising from 15% to 19% in the wake of the tragic events in Minneapolis. This modest increase suggests that even within staunchly conservative circles, there is growing unease regarding the tactics employed by immigration enforcement agencies.
Some conservative voices have begun to question the morality of current immigration policies. As April Ajoy, a former evangelical Christian and podcaster, noted, there is an emerging dialogue among certain Christians who are grappling with the implications of ICE’s actions. “I’ve seen people say: ‘I voted for Trump, I supported ICE, but I can’t support what they’re doing now,’” she stated, indicating a potential fracture in the previously unified front among conservative supporters of immigration enforcement.
The Challenge of Engaging the Womanosphere
The challenge for those within the womanosphere, like Stuckey and Gaines, lies in maintaining their influence while navigating this emerging dissent. As Mariah Wellman, an academic studying MAGA influencers, observes, figures like Stuckey have crafted a persona that offers their followers a sense of community and validation, making it difficult for dissenters to push back against established narratives.
Yet, amidst this landscape, there are indications that some conservative women are beginning to question the rigid ideological boundaries that have defined their political beliefs. The recent ICE incidents in Minneapolis may serve as a catalyst for broader discussions on morality, law, and compassion within conservative circles.
Why it Matters
The discourse surrounding ICE and the womanosphere illustrates the complexities inherent in modern political dialogue, particularly within conservative communities. As empathy for victims of immigration enforcement clashes with hardline stances, the potential for ideological rifts within the right may reshape future political landscapes. This dynamic not only reflects changing attitudes towards immigration but also highlights the ongoing struggle between compassion and political identity, a battle that could have significant ramifications for the Republican Party and its supporters moving forward.
