The topic of immigration has recently become a popular debate amongst people—consisting of a difference in opinions about who should be allowed to enter a country, who can stay, and how the government should handle immigration laws. Donald Trump, who is the current president of the United States, has enforced very strict and cruel immigration laws for the country, specifically a federal law enforcement agency called I.C.E. I.C.E stands for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It enforces detaining and deporting certain immigrants.
Why is I.C.E controversial? Supporters of this agency claim that strict immigration laws need to be enforced and that I.C.E is very strongly needed in this country. People who do not support I.C.E argue that it is inhumane and causes a lot of fear in communities and families. There are several humanitarian concerns with how the people are being treated while getting arrested or detained. I believe that enforcing laws should not mean ignoring people’s rights to humane treatment.
According to a Pew Research Center’s 2026 Survey, 52% of American adults said that the Trump administration was being too severe in the deportation of immigrants living in the United States illegally. 31% of adults said that they agreed with everything the Trump administration was doing, and 15% of adults said they thought the Trump administration wasn’t doing enough in the immigration laws.
Beyond politics, I.C.E affects real individuals, families, children—people. Detaining someone causes a lot of pain for both the victim of deportation and for the family members of that individual. In August 2026, NBC 5 reported about two sisters—Dulce Zepeda who is 19, and her sister Maria who is 13. When their parents were arrested and deported by I.C.E, Dulce was forced to take care of her younger sister. The sisters went an entire year without seeing their parents.
People immigrate to the United States for many different reasons. Some move to find better job opportunities, reunite with family members, or receive an education. Others leave their home countries because they feel unsafe. Although immigration laws exist to control who can enter and stay in the country, it is important to understand that every immigrant has a different story and situation.
Another important issue is whether immigrants receive fair treatment during the deportation process. People in immigration court proceedings have certain rights, including the ability to present evidence and appeal some decisions. Enforcing immigration laws is one responsibility of the government, but the way these laws are enforced also matters.
In conclusion, immigration and I.C.E continue to be controversial topics in the United States. While some people believe strict enforcement is necessary, others are concerned about the effects it has on families and communities. The story of Dulce and Maria shows that immigration policies can affect children as well as adults. Finding a balance between enforcing the law and treating people humanely remains an important challenge for the country.
Bibliography:
McClain, Colleen, and Eugenie Park. “Young Adults in the U.S. Are Increasingly Wary of AI, Concerned It Will Take Jobs.” Pew Research Center, 18 Aug. 2026, www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/08/18/young-adults-in-the-us-are-increasingly-wary-of-ai-concerned-it-will-take-jobs/. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.
Friedman, Scott, et al. “U.S. Citizen Teens Left Behind When ICE Deported Their Parents.” NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth, 14 Aug. 2026, www.nbcdfw.com/investigations/u-s-citizen-teens-left-behind-when-ice-deported-their-parents/4062993/. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.