Battling 15 degree weather and arctic winds, thousands of people across the greater Boston area gathered to call for Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to leave cities across the United States and stop deportations over two days of protests.
In solidarity with Minneapolis protests this weekend, Boston and hundreds of cities across the country stood with the message: “ICE out now.” Following the fatal shooting of two U.S. citizens at the hands of ICE Officers in Minneapolis, Minnesota, two protests were planned for Jan. 30 and Jan. 31.
Since re-taking office, President Donald Trump and his administration have made immigration policy a cornerstone of their platform, but it has been met with controversy.
The Department of Homeland Security has deported over 675,000 undocumented people, according to the department’s website. Last year, 32 people died in ICE detention centers, making it the agency’s deadliest year in decades. So far in 2026, six people have died in relation to DHS, with a seventh person who died after being shot by an off-duty ICE officer.
Protests have erupted across the country, calling out the actions of federal agents, with demands for ICE to stop seizing cities. The most recent wave of action has been in response to actions occurring in Minnesota, after the Trump Administration’s rollout of “Operation Metro Surge.” This operation sent 3,000 ICE agents to Minneapolis and St. Paul, despite outcry from the public and local governments’ rejections.
These operations are not exclusive to Minnesota, DHS launched “Operation Catch of the Day” in Maine Jan. 21. ICE had arrested 100 people in the first three days, according to reports.
A student group at the University of Minnesota called for a walkout and economic blackout Jan. 30, which was met with a nationwide effort to call out the recent actions taken by ICE across the U.S. This was followed by more anti-ICE protests Jan. 31.
In Boston, protests organized by 50501 and Boston’s chapter of Party for Socialism and Liberation brought thousands of people together, despite freezing temperatures.
Copley Square, Jan. 30
Mass. State House, Jan. 31
