Laurie Caplan of Indivisible North Coast Oregon forwarded to us an article in The Guardian that reviews how cities across the nation are responding to the chaos and violence of ICE in places like Minneapolis, with measures to make their own backyards safer from these threats.
The tactics of local governments to reduce the dangers of the current brand of Immigration and Customs Enforcement on their streets–with at least some degree of success–include:
- “ICE Free Zones” to make it safer for residents to visit city-owned spaces such as parks, hospitals, and courthouses. The cities may not be able to stop ICE activity altogether in these places, but they may be able to more easily sue agents who violate such ordinances.
- Removing barriers to prosecute ICE agents for criminal misconduct. This includes having local law enforcement document the actions of federal officers.
- Preventing ICE from making jails out of warehouses. Local ordinances and business pressure can prevent the sale and lease of these buildings as DHS attempts to expand its capacity to store humans.
- Take away the keys to the rental cars. Local government can step in between agreements with major rental car companies and parking facilities, especially considering their use for illegal activities.
The Guardian cites examples tried by many major cities including Chicago, New York City, Philadelphia, and others. One creative example from Minneapolis: withholding liquor license renewals to Depot Renaissance Hotel and the Canopy by Hilton Hotel, both of which house ICE agents.
The above summarizes “ICE-free zones and blocked liquor licenses: US cities fight back against immigration raids” by Lex McMenamin, The Guardian, Feb. 16, 2026.
Image adapted for fair use from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, © 1974 Python (Monty) Pictures. Resisting ICE takes more than taunting them from atop a wall. However, the metaphor of a castle fortress formed by community engagement will still hold true.