Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), for those who have somehow not heard, is a group of federal agents who claim to “uphold U.S. immigration law at, within, and beyond our borders.” They state they only work to remove “convicted criminal undocumented aliens and gang members.” This would not be an issue if this were what they were actually doing. 

Eight people have been killed by ICE or in ICE custody in 2026. 32 people were killed by ICE in 2025, which is the highest number since 2004. While many have heard about the two white American citizens killed by ICE, few have heard about the additional six people killed due to ICE and its negligence. Whether they were legal or not, ICE’s job is not to murder people. Illegal immigration is a civil misdemeanor. This is not a crime that warrants being murdered. No matter how you feel about immigration, you should be concerned that federal agents are acting like they are allowed to murder people who enter the country illegally. 

I would like to put focus all eight people who died in situations related to ICE, as I find it disappointing that most people are focusing only on the white people killed. The black and brown people who have been killed as a result of ICE this year deserve just as much justice and awareness as Renee Good and Alex Pretti. 

Alex Pretti was exercising his Second Amendment right to carry a firearm. He had not threatened federal officers with his weapon, and it had been removed by the officers before they shot him ten times. He was previously involved in a scuffle where he kicked an ICE vehicle. He should have been charged with destruction of property. Not murdered. 

A few weeks before this, Renee Good had been murdered by an ICE agent named Jonathan Ross. Ross grabbed her car window, and as she attempted to drive away, she was shot three times. Fox News justified this murder by arguing that she was in a same sex relationship and had her pronouns in her Instagram bio.  

Keith Porter was murdered by an off-duty ICE officer on New Year’s after firing a gunshot into the air in celebration. While this is illegal, he should have been charged with a crime. Not murdered. Many people leave this instance out when referring to people ICE has murdered. Porter was a black man, someone who systemically faces more violence from law enforcement. 

Geraldo Lunas Campos was placed in solitary confinement after becoming agitated while waiting in line at a detention facility. He was held down by several guards, had his breathing obstructed, and died. ICE claimed that he was trying to commit suicide and that they were trying to save him. This is not true. The autopsy report ruled his death a homicide. 

Victor Manuel Diaz died of a “presumed suicide” in ICE custody, but his family and many others doubt this story. Diaz was not mentally ill and didn’t strike anyone around him as suicidal. 

Parady La was a previously legal immigrant who lost his immigration status due to drug-related crimes. He died in ICE custody after having severe drug withdrawal symptoms that were ignored. Despite having a criminal record and being in the country illegally, the ICE agents ignored his symptoms. His death absolutely could have been prevented. 

Luis Beltran Yanez–Cru died after having heart issues neglected while he was in ICE custody. This death could have been prevented as well. 

Heber Sanchez Dominguez was found hanging by the neck in his cell at a Georgia detention center. Presumed a suicide, his death is still under investigation. 

People are being murdered by ICE and dying in ICE custody at an alarming rate. Most of the ICE-related deaths this year could have been prevented, but were not. The dehumanization of people detained by ICE is extremely concerning and should not be what is expected from people stating they are here to “protect” people. Immigrants are still people and do not deserve to be murdered, neglected and denied medical care. The racism involved in the dehumanization of those detained by ICE is sickening and makes me disgusted at the state of this country. I do not understand how anyone can be proud to be an American in a time like this.