U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) began large-scale enforcement operations and raids around America on January 23, 2025. These actions followed the inauguration of Donald J. Trump, with new policies following in more sensitive locations like schools and personal homes. With this policy shift has also come a shift in behaviors and emotions from American citizens.
Social media has become the hot spot for shared footage of these operations and shared opinions. However, with this comes the rise of panic fueling from the passion for the opinions of Americans nationwide.
As the country grows divided on the topic of ICE, the CHAT Newsroom unites to share their collective opinions regarding the question of fear: what is rational and what isn’t? The question arises whether the panic over the current administration is grounded in reality or is it overblown by social media?
“I believe there is a legitimate reason for concern, but not necessarily panic. Certain actions and rhetoric from the current administration, such as increased immigration enforcement, mass deportations affecting undocumented and, in some cases, documented individuals, as well as rising international tensions, raise real and valid fears. At the same time, constant alarming media coverage on these developments heightens public anxiety and mistrust. Consequently, the overall political climate has become increasingly tense and polarizing, contributing to a sense of uncertainty and justified concern toward the administration.” – Emmanuel Baptiste, JagWire Host
“I feel that the administration has ruined the culture of the United States. I do believe we need to be fearful, innocent people dying because of ICE, and all the other inexcusable actions are reasons to be scared.” – Madison Casanova, Social Media Editor
“Every time I see the videos of innocent children being separated from their parents or people pleading for help while ICE chases them down the road, I feel fear. I understand the fear that some Americans feel and are experiencing daily. However, what I strongly believe is that America should allow that fear to fuel its passion to fight back. There is hope for the future; we just must believe in one another.” – Julianna Perez, Editor-in-Chief
“The current administration reaches its goals by overwhelming and instilling fear in the public. No child should have to be afraid to attend school. No immigrant should have to be afraid to leave their house. While I do think what we see on social media is skewed by algorithms and what we interact with or do not interact with, many people are realizing the Trump administration is rooted in hate and lies, and they are now speaking against a government made not to serve the country, but to serve themselves.” – Adia Smith, Student Life Editor
“I feel like the current administration is getting out of hand, and a lot of people are afraid because it seems like it’s going to extremes. I do think there are real things to fear in the current political climate, especially when it comes to people being targeted, attacked, or deported because of ICE. These fears feel real for many communities and affect how safe people feel in their daily lives.” – Areeba Haq, Clubs Editor
“From rebuilding the economy to protecting the borders, Trump hopes that his citizens can grow a stronger money supply and lower the crime rates nationwide. However, Trump’s recent actions on issues such as those in Venezuela may also prove that he has violated a few human rights and the use of the U.S. military. In some recent instances, such as ICE in Minnesota, I do believe that there are certain serious things people should fear within the political climate.” – Marlee Jaworski, Co-Managing Editor
“I believe that the current administration is trying to do the right thing, but is going about it and doing it the wrong way. Yes, I fear that people think that their opinion is the only right answer, and due to this, will take it out on those who oppose them, causing harm to others.” – Madison Connacher, Social Media Editor
“I might not agree with all of Trump’s decisions, but I don’t think that’s where a lot of the fear is coming from. Using ICE as an example, they weren’t really critiqued until Trump started mass deporting illegal immigrants, then a lot of the opposing party started, in my opinion, instigating fear and hatred toward them. If the politicians of the other side of the aisle didn’t instigate this in people, perhaps there would be fewer riots and deaths.” – Micah Lopez, Community Editor
“I feel like having ICE raids and the whole Alligator Alcatraz situation has really struck fear into people. They have overblown the situation on immigration and have completely taken it too far; completely dehumanized people. I am not really scared for myself, yet I am more scared for others.” – Daisy Ferguson, Sports Editor
“I understand the perspective that some people argue that ICE is good, but I also believe that this is something that others are doing simply to abuse power. There is no need to repeatedly say how a 5-year-old is dangerous and illegally here while he’s simply a kid. I understand those bringing drugs and illegal things to ruin society as a whole, and to deport those, yes. But not those who are simply also making our world a better place by working and even providing for America. This isn’t what was being asked of them; it’s turned into abuse of power. It is a serious fear of how the world will eventually continue to change as more laws/rules are being implemented that will soon exceed the true intention.” – Gabriela Godoy, Staff Writer
“There are most definitely legitimate things to fear. The ICE raids and people being killed in the streets have really opened my eyes to see just how cruel our president, ICE officers, and people who are defending this kind of behavior can be. They are trying to ethnically cleanse the country, and I genuinely fear just how bad it can get with Trump still having roughly 3 years left in his term. In “the land of the free”, I shouldn’t have to live in fear for my life, along with the lives of the people I care about, simply existing.” – Aniya Williams, Staff Writer
“The current administration is uneducated to such an alarming degree that it appears disturbingly easy to assume power for personal financial gain rather than public service. There are serious and legitimate reasons for fear in the current political climate, particularly as ICE agents are repeatedly violating constitutional rights, including the Fourth Amendment, and doing so with apparent impunity.” – Abigail Wheeler, Alumni Editor
“The government and the politicians who are in charge of this country should be the people who are most professional and serious. Especially in a role that is so powerful. However, the credibility of the American government has completely depleted in a way that makes Americans insecure about their own futures and also makes the U.S. look extremely unserious to other political leaders across the world.” – Janeyliz Baez, Multimedia Editor-in-Chief
“The current administration has changed our country. It doesn’t matter if someone is a democrat or republican, our country is severely divided on where we stand on this administration and its actions. From the ICE Raids to the Minneapolis riots, it is unfortunate that some people, especially minorities, feel as if they cannot leave their homes because they may get taken away. As midterm elections come up this year, it is important that we all vote. Fight for the country your parents came from (if applicable). Fight for the country that you want to live in, that loves all.” – Eri Fatimilehin, Co-Managing Editor
“I’ve said on the CHAT numerous times that I believe the administration is dangerous, radical, and borderline fascist. I think that recent events make this clearer than ever. I’ve always said that ICE is Trump’s personal Gestapo, I’ve always said that the modern Republican party wants an authoritarian system, but no one believed me. Now that citizens are being shot dead on the street, the media is being censored, our government is threatening to invade allied nations, and our tax dollars are openly being used to fund a genocide abroad, it couldn’t be plainer what the intentions of the Trump Administration are. I only wish that people could’ve listened to what so many of us had to say in the first place, and we could’ve avoided this to begin with.” – Finn Phelps Crossman, Features Editor
