Rise and Resurgence: The Call to Abolish ICE
Mass protests erupted last week following the tragic death of Renee Nicole Good, a mother of three, at the hands of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent. Thousands of Americans took to the streets, hoisting signs and chanting “abolish ICE,” capturing a wave of anger and grief sweeping across the nation. This mantra is not merely an expression of outrage; it symbolizes a growing movement to dismantle an agency many believe has wielded excessive power and perpetrated human rights abuses against immigrant communities.
Widespread Support for Ending ICE
The call to abolish ICE has garnered support from diverse political figures, including progressive lawmakers like Ayanna Pressley and even conservative commentators like Bill Kristol. Shri Thanedar, a Democratic representative from Michigan, announced plans to introduce the “Abolish ICE Act”—legislation aimed at dismantling the agency altogether. A recent Economist/YouGov poll indicates a significant shift, revealing that for the first time, more US adults support eliminating ICE than oppose it.
The recent outcry against ICE is not solely rooted in Good’s shooting. In 2025, 32 individuals died in ICE custody, marking the agency’s deadliest year in two decades. High-profile worksite raids in cities such as Los Angeles, Portland, and Chicago led to the arrest of thousands of immigrants without due process, triggering deep concerns and motivating protests against federal enforcement actions in local communities.
Historical Context and Movement Evolution
For long-time immigrant rights activists, the current wave of protests may feel like a familiar reckoning. The groundwork for this moment was laid during the original call to “abolish ICE,” which gained momentum around 2018. Back then, activists protested against family separations, mobilizing thousands during the Trump administration. Many Democrats, including prominent figures like Elizabeth Warren and Kirsten Gillibrand, initially embraced the slogan, but the momentum soon dwindled as party strategies shifted. After President Biden took office, the conversation around abolishing ICE faded, overshadowed by escalating deportations and a changing political landscape.
Juan Prieto, the digital communications manager for the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, reflects on how early advocates educated American citizens on recognizing and supporting immigrant communities. The movement today is build upon the lessons learned from those early days.
The Voice of Activists
Jacinta González, an immigrant rights organizer, underscores the importance of building community and envisioning a future without ICE. She emphasizes that today’s activism is about more than mere protest; it involves collaborative efforts to foster new visions and strategies for immigrant justice.
The contemporary push to abolish ICE finds its roots in broader movements advocating for police and prison abolition. The phrase gained national attention in 2018 after political strategist Sean McElwee tweeted it, sparking grassroots organizing that had started as soon as ICE itself was formed in response to the 9/11 attacks. Activists like Amy Gottlieb note that early anti-ICE organizing increased alongside record deportations during the Obama administration, creating a fertile ground for outrage when Trump’s harsher policies came to light.
Historical Backlash and Recent Struggles
The initial momentum behind the “abolish ICE” movement began to falter as the Biden administration took office. Critics, including Silky Shah, executive director of the Detention Watch Network, argue that the movement struggled to effectively pressure the new administration, as Biden did not offer a particularly pro-immigrant stance.
Biden’s focus shifted away from addressing deportations and instead concentrated on border-related issues, sidelining comprehensive reform. This strategic shift resulted in many within the movement feeling disillusioned, given that simple abolition of ICE did not necessarily resolve the larger structures of enforcement that contribute to mass detentions.
Renewed Energy in Activism
Despite setbacks, activists like Prieto hold that much of the groundwork laid during the original “abolish ICE” campaign continues to fuel grassroots resistance efforts today. Programs aimed at community education—such as “know your rights” workshops—have gained traction, alongside rapid-response groups supporting families targeted by ICE raids.
Recent protests, sparked by Good’s tragic death, suggest a resurgence of energy similar to the 2018 mobilizations. As these demonstrations gain traction, slogans like “No Kings” and “Hands Off” have proliferated, while the explicit demands to abolish ICE resurface amid renewed outrage.
Current Trends and Community Mobilization
The renewed movement owes much to the organized efforts of community groups, which emphasize both immediate support for affected families and long-term strategies for systemic change. González observes that while explicit calls for abolition have been cautious, the community continues to mobilize, supporting one another in practical ways, such as ensuring basic needs for those impacted by ICE raids.
Activists believe it is crucial for the Democratic Party to engage with these grassroots demands if they wish to harness the current momentum. A failure to do so may leave communities feeling abandoned and ignored.
Prieto states, “Our opposition has a vision of an authoritarian white nationalist utopia that they’re working day in and day out to accomplish. I don’t think our leaders have that level of progressive envisioning,” highlighting the need for a transformative vision to counter challenging political realities.
The demand for abolition is not just about ICE; it reflects a broader calls for dismantling systems of policing, detention, and enforcement entirely, seeking a just society where immigrant communities are seen as integral to the fabric of the nation.
