What in the World ICE explained: What powers do its agents have?
Jan 26, 2026
Kayla Epstein, a BBC US reporter, breaks down ICE operations and the scope of its enforcement powers. She outlines when and how agents detain and use force. The conversation covers policy shifts under Trump and why ICE is being sent into major cities. Tensions, public reactions and the debate over deployment are explored in plain terms.
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Minneapolis Shooting Sparks Protests
- Minneapolis saw protests after ICE agents shot and killed 37-year-old Alex Pretti.
- His family and local authorities offered conflicting accounts about the shooting and his firearm.
ICE's Expanded Role Under Trump
- ICE enforces US immigration laws, investigates undocumented immigration, and removes people from the US.
- Its mission has expanded significantly since President Trump returned to office, including broader domestic operations.
Repeated Shootings Heighten Tension
- The Pretti killing followed another recent ICE shooting of US citizen Renee Nicole Good.
- Locals said the killings have shaken community trust in federal immigration officers.