Over the past year, there has been a concerning increase in the number of shootings involving US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, with at least 26 such incidents since the start of President Donald Trump’s second term in January 2025. This includes 12 shootings in Minneapolis alone, the latest of which occurred on 24 January 2026 outside a doughnut shop, where a person was seen being tackled to the ground by ICE agents as at least 10 gunshots were heard.
The shootings, which have spanned 15 states and the District of Columbia, have resulted in at least six deaths, with victims including both undocumented immigrants and US citizens. In several cases, agents have fired at or into moving vehicles, with the Wall Street Journal identifying at least 13 such incidents since July 2025, leading to at least eight gunshot wounds and two fatalities.
Analysts and media outlets have raised concerns about the unusually high number of these shootings, many of which have sparked protests and public backlash. In one incident on 14 January 2026 in Minneapolis, demonstrators gathered at the scene and clashed with federal agents, who responded by using chemical agents against the protesters.
The shootings have occurred in a variety of situations, including during traffic stops, arrest operations, border enforcement actions, and even off-duty incidents. In several cases, agents have claimed the victims were attempting to flee or ram their vehicles, but these narratives have been questioned by local officials and witnesses.
The escalating violence has drawn widespread condemnation, with critics accusing the Trump administration of fostering an environment that encourages the use of excessive force by immigration agents. The shootings have also raised concerns about the lack of accountability and transparency within federal immigration agencies, which are housed under the Department of Homeland Security.
As the nation grapples with these troubling developments, calls for a thorough investigation and reform of ICE’s practices have grown louder, with many demanding greater oversight and accountability to prevent further tragedies.
