Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has vastly expanded its presence in American cities since the beginning of the second Trump administration. Among the cities seeing higher ICE activity is Denver. Federal immigration agents have been recorded using excessive and unlawful force against protestors as well as detainees being taken into custody. In early January, ICE agents violated the Fourth Amendment by raiding property without a properly signed warrant in Minneapolis, a tactic to gain quick entry into residences suspected of “criminal” activity. With ICE’s growing presence in Denver, many Colorado elected officials, like Senator Jessie Danielson of Wheat Ridge, have taken part in ICE-Out protests at the Capitol and condemned “senseless violence” on social media. 

Despite claiming to remove “the worst of the worst” from communities, ICE has arrested only 6% of known immigrant murderers, according to NBC News. Rather than focusing on serious threats to public safety, ICE increasingly operates like an occupying force, relying on sweeping raids and coercive detentions that resemble mass kidnappings more than targeted law enforcement. The agency’s blanket surveillance and targeting tactics have resulted in deadly shootings and human rights violations, sparking “ICE-Out” protests across the country. Rather than prioritizing objectivity, this article offers resources and context for communities organizing against ICE’s practices with safety and justice in mind. 

ICE works best when the general public feels isolated and exhausted. Perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind is a prioritization of rest and mental wellness in these times of violence and fear. Change is achieved through movements, not moments—so be cognizant of burnout and emotional regulation. It is incredibly damaging to one’s mental health to witness hours of violence and injustice online, only to go to the next class or board meeting. Express fears and emotions in a safe space, reach out to mental health professionals, and evaluate what level of risk can be taken to effectively put pressure on ICE.  

Working within a community of shared values and resources is a necessary function to resist growing fascism in America. Building a strong community in your neighborhood entails organizing networks of support and providing consistent mutual aid. Community-building and civil resistance have historically brought social change, including the Nashville Student Movement of 1960 and the formation of the Black Panthers, among other Civil Rights Movements and organizations. 

Building community takes money, time, and resources, but there are many ways to contribute. Befriending neighbors, attending city council meetings and volunteering at a local library or museum are direct ways to get involved in Denver’s local government and community.  

The Denver Justice Project, a local organization dedicated to transforming the criminal legal system through intersectional advocacy, is hosting a free “Know Your Rights Training” on February 25th from 6-8 PM. According to the organization’s Instagram, the event will cover topics like “how to handle searches and questioning, what to do if you’re detained or arrested, how to safely record police encounters, and more.”  

Additionally, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser advertises the site Defending Colorado, which features a link to report unlawful and harmful misconduct by Federal Agents in Colorado directly to Weiser’s office. This form accepts images, videos, and text documenting ICE activity.  

According to Weiser’s office, “While submitting a complaint may or may not result in informal action or investigation by our Department, the information you share will assist in our efforts to ensure federal accountability, identify and better understand issues, document concerns, and detect patterns of potential misconduct by federal agents.” 

Another way to resist ICE is to boycott its avenues of funding. Large corporations like Amazon, FedEx, and Palantir are only the beginning to a daunting list. Amazon’s Amazon Web Services are a major cloud provider to the Immigration Enforcement agency. They provide a platform for data storage and processing “unprecedented amounts of information on immigrants and the people connected with them,” as stated by the Immigrant Defense Project.  

According to the American Immigration Council, Palantir’s software’s Investigative Case Management (ICM), FALCON, and its “next-generation enforcement tool,” ImmigrationOS, have been “used in workplace raids, large-scale enforcement operations, and investigations involving asylum seekers—showing how Palantir’s pattern-finding capabilities have long been central to ICE’s most aggressive tactics.” These systems pull data from other government databases to track, target, and detain immigrants and U.S. citizens alike. 

Cut Off the Spigot, an online resource active on Substack, YouTube and TikTok, has compiled a list of alternatives to large corporations entangled with ICE.  General suggestions include local businesses, trade, thrift, and to borrow from others in the community. 

Organizations like the National Immigration Project, RAICES, and the Legal Aid Justice Center, whose sites feature additional resources on immigration and legal topics, accept donations for legal defense and bond funds which allows ICE detainees and low-income families to access legal support. 

To create lasting social change, people contribute in different ways. Not everyone needs to protest or organize events. What matters is understanding how much risk each person is willing to take and choosing actions which match that level, from offering support and documenting events to participating in civil disobedience. Creators and artists can use their platforms to share stories and information through accessible graphics. Those with spendable income or able-bodies can volunteer time or resources. 

Report Suspected ICE Activity to the Colorado Rapid Response Network Hotline at the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition:  

1-844-864-8341