ICE Out

"ICE Out"
Protesters gather to march at the Ice Out of MN march in Minneapolis, Minnesota on January 23 2026.
OriginJanuary 23, 2026 Minnesota protests against ICE
ContextProtests against mass deportation during the second Trump administration
MeaningProtest slogan rejecting ICE

ICE Out is a political slogan in the United States expressing opposition to the activities and presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The phrase gained prominence and widespread use during the January 23, 2026 Minnesota protests against ICE in response to Operation Metro Surge.

Background and origin

On January 20, 2025, Donald Trump began his second presidential term and immediately implemented sweeping immigration enforcement measures, declaring illegal immigration a national emergency. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) authorized personnel from numerous federal agencies, including ICE, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), to assist in carrying out the administration's mass deportation policies.

In response to Trump's immigration crackdown, the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON) California coalition launched the "ICE Out of Courthouses" campaign in May 2025, specifically targeting immigration enforcement actions at county and state courthouses, spaces where immigrants access justice and legal representation. The campaign sought to prevent ICE agents from conducting operations at immigration courts, arguing that such enforcement created an untenable choice for immigrants between facing arrest and foregoing legal proceedings. This initial courthouse-focused effort marked the beginning of the broader "ICE Out" movement.

Over 2025, protests against mass deportation efforts intensified in cities across the United States, including Illinois, New York and Minnesota. During this period, the "ICE Out" slogan evolved from a courthouse-focused call to action into a broader nationwide movement rejecting all ICE operations. Immigration lawyers and advocates documented ICE agents stationed at immigration courthouses beginning in May 2025, citing the Trump administration's reversal of decades-long federal guidance that had treated courthouses as sensitive locations.

Operation Metro Surge

Protest march against ICE in downtown Minneapolis on January 30, 2026

Beginning in December 2025, the DHS launched Operation Metro Surge, deploying thousands of ICE, CBP, and HSI agents to the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area. DHS described it as "the largest immigration enforcement operation ever carried out." The operation initially targeted the Twin Cities and later expanded statewide. It was immediately condemned by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and local law enforcement leaders. Anti-ICE protests intensified following two high-profile incidents of violence; the Killing of Renee Good, the Killing of Alex Pretti and the Detention of Liam Conejo Ramos in January 2026.

National Shutdown

On January 30, 2026, hundreds of protests took place simultaneously across the United States in opposition to the administration's mass deportation policies. The protests were also known as "ICE Out". Businesses across the country voluntarily closed in solidarity, and hundreds of high school and college students walked out of classes.

Mainstream visibility

Natalie Portman wearing an "ICE Out" button at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival

Awards ceremonies

"Be Good" buttons distributed as part of the #BeGood campaign honoring Renee Good and protesting ICE
"ICE Out" buttons worn by celebrities during the 2026 awards season in protest of ICE

At the 83rd Golden Globe Awards on January 11, 2026, actors and filmmakers including Mark Ruffalo, Wanda Sykes, Natasha Lyonne, Jean Smart, and Ariana Grande wore "Be Good" and "ICE Out" pins in honor of Renée Nicole Good. The ACLU-endorsed protest campaign was organized by a group of entertainment industry professionals to raise awareness and encourage good citizenship amidst current tensions.

At the 68th Annual Grammy Awards on February 1, 2026, popular musicians Joni Mitchell, Billie Eilish, Justin Bieber, Samara Joy and Kehlani wore pins and badges reading "ICE Out". Bad Bunny said "ICE Out" when accepting an award during the acceptance speech he choose to talk about deportation raids and human rights.

Actors Natasha Rothwell, Tessa Thompson and Kumail Nanjiani spoke out against ICE at the 2026 Indie Spirit Awards.

Fashion

Fashion Designers at New York Fashion Week wore "ICE Out" pins including Rachel Scott, Hillary Taymour, Henry Zankov, and Maria McManus.

Sporting Events

2026 Winter Olympics

During the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, street artist Laika incorporated "ICE OUT" into art displayed near the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) headquarters in Rome.

International Attention: Protests against ICE actions spread to Italy, particularly in Milan during the 2026 Winter Olympics, where local political groups, unions, and civil society organizations displayed banners and murals echoing the "ICE Out" message.

Super Bowl LX

Bad Bunny's half-time performance garnered criticism from U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and support from the National Football League.

CONTRA-ICE organized Flags in The Stands to counter potential presence of ICE agents at the event. "ICE Out" towels were handed out to attendees as they entered the stadium.

Reactions

In Saint Paul, Minnesota artistic design is highlighted as a protest tool at a poster pop-up event featuring anti-ICE slogans.

Timeline

January 2026

  • Minneapolis: The killing of Renee Good by an ICE officer sparked nationwide outrage and intensified calls for accountability. Protests and vigils in Minneapolis marked the first major public use of the slogan "ICE Out" as a call to remove ICE from local communities.
  • 50,000 people marched in sub zero winter temperature engaging in a city-wide General strike. The protesters demanded that 1) ICE leave their cities 2) Prosecution of the officer who shot Killing of Renée Good.
  • The slogan gained further visibility during the 2026 United States general strike, when demonstrators across the country displayed banners and signs reading "ICE Out".

See also

References

  1. ↑ Boone, -Rebecca; Boone, Associated Press Rebecca; Press, Associated (February 13, 2026). "A timeline of Trump's immigration crackdown in Minnesota". PBS News. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
  2. ↑ Gambino, Lauren; Villarreal, Alexandra; Pengelly, Martin (January 21, 2025). "Trump declares national border emergency in immigration crackdown". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  3. ↑ Administrator (May 21, 2025). "ICE OUT OF COURTHOUSES!". NDLON. Retrieved March 26, 2026.
  4. ↑ Duara, Nigel (September 23, 2025). "California law forbids ICE from making arrests at courthouses. Officers are showing up anyway". CalMatters. Retrieved March 26, 2026.
  5. ↑ Donnell, Chloe Mac (February 6, 2026). "Thousands brave bitter cold to demand ICE leave Minneapolis". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
  6. ↑ Fields, Ashleigh (June 10, 2025). "Anti-ICE protests pop up in cities across the country". The Hill. Archived from the original on January 11, 2026. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  7. ↑ Mace, Sage Ríos (December 22, 2025). "Judge orders end to ICE courthouse arrests across Northern California, for now". Mission Local. Retrieved March 26, 2026.
  8. 1 2 Boone, -Rebecca; Boone, Associated Press Rebecca; Press, Associated (February 13, 2026). "A timeline of Trump's immigration crackdown in Minnesota". PBS News. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  9. ↑ Giraldo, Nina (January 30, 2026). "January 30, 2026 - Minnesota immigration and nationwide protest updates". CNN. Retrieved March 26, 2026.
  10. ↑ "'No work, no school, no shopping': What to know about the national anti-ICE strike on Friday, Saturday". king5.com. January 29, 2026. Retrieved March 26, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Hundreds of students walk out of class across Portland to protest ICE". opb. Retrieved March 26, 2026.
  12. ↑ Cubit, Brea (January 12, 2026). "Why Celebrities Wore 'ICE Out' and 'Be Good' Pins at the 2026 Golden Globes". Elle. Archived from the original on February 2, 2026. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
  13. ↑ Saperstein, Pat (January 11, 2026). "Mark Ruffalo, Jean Smart, Wanda Sykes Wear 'Be Good,' 'ICE Out' Pins at Golden Globes in Honor of Renée Macklin Good, Mother Killed by ICE Agent". Variety. Archived from the original on February 9, 2026. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
  14. ↑ Ukiomogbe, Juliana (February 2, 2026). "Hailey Bieber, Billie Eilish, and More Wore 'ICE Out' Pins at the 2026 Grammys". ELLE. Archived from the original on February 2, 2026. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  15. ↑ Towfighi, Michaela (February 1, 2026). "Bad Bunny Says 'ICE Out' in Grammys Acceptance Speech". The New York Times. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
  16. ↑ "Bad Bunny says 'ICE out' in Grammy Awards speech". BBC. February 2, 2026. Archived from the original on February 2, 2026. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  17. ↑ Thomas, Carly (February 16, 2026). "Natasha Rothwell, Tessa Thompson and Kumail Nanjiani Among Stars Protesting ICE at 2026 Spirit Awards". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  18. ↑ "New York Fashion Week Joins the "ICE OUT" Movement: "It Changes Hearts and Minds"". Marie Claire. February 13, 2026. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
  19. ↑ "Rome street artist creates piece against ICE presence at Milano Cortina". MSN per ANSA. February 5, 2026. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
  20. ↑ Perugini, Francesco (January 31, 2026). "Ice out", in migliaia in piazza contro gli agenti americani ai Giochi (in Italian). Retrieved February 3, 2026 – via www.rainews.it.
  21. ↑ Kalyn Kahler (January 30, 2026). "Why the NFL stood by Bad Bunny for the Super Bowl halftime show". ESPN. Archived from the original on February 3, 2026. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  22. ↑ "Activists hand out 'Ice Out' towels at Super Bowl LX". Newsweek. Archived from the original on February 10, 2026. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  23. ↑ "Organizers hand out more than 15,000 'ICE OUT' towels at Super Bowl for halftime protest". Yahoo News. February 9, 2026. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  24. ↑ Kaufman, Jared (February 12, 2026). "Pop-up poster show, at Can Can Wonderland through Feb. 19, highlights anti-ICE protest art". Twin Cities Pioneer Press. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
  25. ↑ Rebecca Santana; Tim Sullivan; Giovanna Dell 'Orto (January 8, 2026). "Anger and outrage spills onto Minneapolis streets after ICE officer's fatal shooting of Renee Good". AP News. Archived from the original on February 2, 2026. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  26. ↑ Evans, Tim (January 24, 2026). "Thousands brave bitter cold to demand ICE leave Minneapolis". Reuters. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  27. ↑ "In The Twin Cities, A Massive Strike Against ICE". Labor Notes. January 27, 2026. Archived from the original on February 13, 2026. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  28. ↑ "'ICE Out' protest draws thousands in San Francisco". NBC News. January 30, 2026. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  29. ↑ Kaplan, Juliana. "No work, no school, no shopping: Jan. 30 nationwide general strike to protest ICE gains celebrity endorsements". Business Insider. Archived from the original on January 29, 2026. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  30. ↑ Wright, Kristin (January 31, 2026). "Anti-ICE protesters call for national action against federal immigration tactics". NPR. Retrieved February 20, 2026.

Further reading