ICE Out Protests: What They Are and How to Find One Near You
Short answer: “ICE Out” is a protest slogan against Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations. It spread nationwide in January 2026 after deadly shootings during a federal enforcement surge in Minneapolis. To find an ICE Out protest near you, follow local immigrant-rights groups and rapid response networks, and check any event against the organizer’s own channels before you go. ICE Out protests are not connected to iceout.org, the People Over Papers map.
This guide explains the movement, its key dates, how to find an ICE Out protest near me without falling for fake or outdated event posts, and what your rights are once you are there. PeopleOverPapersMap.org is an independent guide. We do not organize events, and we do not list protest locations because we cannot keep them accurate.
What “ICE Out” means
The slogan calls for ICE to leave local communities. It traces back to the “ICE Out of Courthouses” campaign that the National Day Laborer Organizing Network’s California coalition launched in May 2025 against arrests at immigration courts, and it grew into a broader call during 2025 (Wikipedia summary of news coverage).
The name is a frequent source of confusion. iceout.org is the website of the People Over Papers ICE watch map, which collects sighting reports. It does not organize protests. Our page on what iceout.org is explains the difference.
Key ICE Out dates in 2026
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| December 2025 | DHS began Operation Metro Surge in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area, later expanding it statewide |
| Early January 2026 | An ICE officer fatally shot Renee Good in Minneapolis; vigils and protests made “ICE Out” a rallying cry |
| January 23, 2026 | “ICE Out of Minnesota: Day of Truth & Freedom.” Tens of thousands marched downtown in a negative 30 degree windchill, more than 700 businesses closed, and about 100 clergy were arrested at a protest at the airport (Minnesota Reformer) |
| January 30, 2026 | Hundreds of protests across the country, with student walkouts and some businesses closing in solidarity (ABC News) |
| February 2026 | “ICE Out” pins and speeches appeared at the Grammys and other award shows |
| February 12, 2026 | Border czar Tom Homan announced the Minnesota surge would end |
The Minneapolis organizers’ demands included withdrawing the roughly 3,000 federal immigration officers sent to Minnesota, halting ICE actions in the state, accountability for agents involved in deaths and abuse, and action by Congress (Minnesota Reformer).
How to find an ICE Out protest near me
Protest details change fast, and fake or old event posts spread in group chats. These steps help you find a real ICE Out protest near you.
- Start with groups you already trust, such as your local immigrant-rights organization, union, faith community or rapid response network. Our rapid response hotline guide helps you find yours.
- Follow national organizers’ official pages. Groups such as 50501 have organized ICE Out actions in 2026; use links from their own websites, not reposts.
- Check the date, place and organizer against at least one second source before you go. A flyer with no named organizer is a warning sign.
- Look for a permit or a marshal team. Organized events usually say whether they have a permit, where to meet and who to ask for help.
- Do not use a sighting map as a protest map. Reports on iceout.org show where people saw enforcement, not where events are planned. Going to a reported enforcement scene is not a protest and can lead to arrest.
Your rights at an ICE Out protest
Peaceful protest on public sidewalks and in parks is protected by the First Amendment, but police can set rules on time, place and manner. The ACLU’s protesters’ rights guide covers the details. A few points matter most:
- Follow dispersal orders and leave by the route given. Arguing on the spot can lead to arrest.
- You can generally film officers in public if you do not interfere. Court orders protecting people who record ICE, such as the Los Angeles press case, cover only the people and places they name (Herman Legal Group summary).
- If you are stopped, ask “Am I free to leave?” If not, say you choose to remain silent and want a lawyer, and do not sign anything.
- Write a lawyer’s number on your arm in case your phone is taken. Your local legal aid group or rapid response network may run a legal observer program.
Extra risks for noncitizens
An arrest at a protest can carry immigration consequences for someone without citizenship, even if the charge is minor. Federal agents in Minneapolis and Chicago told protesters their faces were being recorded and identified with facial recognition, and the White House border czar has spoken about building a database of people arrested at protests (The Conversation). If you are not a citizen, talk to an immigration attorney before you decide how to take part. Supporting from a safer distance, by donating or volunteering behind the scenes, is also participation.
Safety and privacy checklist
| Before you go | At the protest |
|---|---|
| Go with a friend and agree on a meeting point | Stay with your group and near the edges of large crowds |
| Charge your phone, set a passcode and turn off face or fingerprint unlock | Avoid posting faces of other protesters |
| Bring water, ID only if you are comfortable carrying it, and a lawyer’s number | Keep your distance from agents and do not block vehicles |
| Check weather and the organizer’s latest update | Leave if the event turns violent or police order you to disperse |
What critics say
Federal officials have warned protesters and observers not to get in the way of enforcement. “Stop impeding, stop interfering, stop violating the law. We will arrest you,” Homan said at a February 2026 news conference (CBS News Minnesota). Supporters of the protests say they are exercising free speech and calling for accountability after deaths during enforcement operations. Both points are worth knowing before you attend.
ICE Out Protests FAQ
What is the ICE Out movement?
A protest movement and slogan calling for ICE to leave local communities. It grew from a 2025 courthouse campaign and spread nationwide in January 2026.
How do I find an ICE Out protest near me?
Follow local immigrant-rights groups, unions, faith groups and rapid response networks, and confirm any event with the organizer’s own channels.
Is iceout.org part of the ICE Out protests?
No. iceout.org is the People Over Papers sighting map. It shares the slogan’s words but does not organize protests.
Is it legal to join an ICE Out protest?
Peaceful protest in public spaces is protected, but blocking officers, trespassing or ignoring a lawful dispersal order can lead to arrest.
Should undocumented people attend?
An arrest can affect an immigration case. Talk to an immigration attorney first and consider safer ways to take part.
What happened on ICE Out day in Minneapolis?
On January 23, 2026, tens of thousands marched in extreme cold, hundreds of businesses closed, and about 100 clergy were arrested at an airport protest.
Related guides
Last checked: October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. If something here is out of date, tell us.
