In just the first month of 2026, United States Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) have made their operations more intense across the nation, which has caused increased fear among not only the immigrant community, but for U.S citizens as well. 

Although ICE actions  have intensified across the country, Minneapolis has seen cases of abuse of power, which has raised concerns everywhere. ICE has become more aggressive, which has caused fear, especially among children and families of. The increased presence of ICE had sadly claimed the lives of two U.S citizens: Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, people that the Trump administration have claimed to be “hostile,” and even called them terrorists.” Another sickening case revolves around the use of a 5-year-old child  as bait to lure their parents out of hiding, just to detain all of the family. 

Both NPR and AP News recently reported on the court’s granting permission for ICE officers to enter private property without a judicial warrant, if they have a final notice of deportation. Legal experts have already stated that this change clearly violates the rights of those people. 

These following developments have come along with other stricter policies, plus additional funding for ICE.

Students who are or are part of a mixed-status family, have been  the most affected as they began to miss school more due to fear. The students begin to stress out, which has a toll on their mental health. 

Even though Eastfield is not a current location for federal enforcement, there are many ways that students can adapt to the uncertainty of the times, and a way to support students who are overwhelmed with everything happening. 

As everyone has been advising, it is important to know by heart a person’s  rights. There are events locally that  focus on teaching citizens what they  can do. Staying informed can also help. Obviously, it’s important to  get information from trusted sources such as NPR, and AP News. They are two of the most reliable news reporting services a person  can subscribe to. 

Support classmates who feel stressed out by  leading them with conversations about things  they like, or by motivating them to join a student organization. Counseling services can help students to manage their stress and to guide them to manage their mental health instead of focusing on national discourse  all the time. 

As we go through 2026, the people of the U.S have the moment to bring a stop to the terror being caused by ICE. The mid-terms are coming, and Trump has made it clear that he fears he has lost support, and it has been more evident recently after all the chaos  happening in the country.

The law surrounding immigration enforcement will never be solidified under the Trump administration, which leaves Eastfield students with a need to build up their resilience, strengthen their mental health and to stay informed on the changes happening around them. By having knowledge, staying involved in the community and always being prepared for the unexpected, everyone should be able to navigate  through these uncertain times.