US Streets Under Siege: Masked, Armed Agents Intensify Arrests Amid Heightened Enforcement

In American cities, masked individuals—both men and women—roam, often in unmarked vehicles, equipped with weapons and clad in military-style apparel. These agents are affiliated with the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and hold the authority to identify, arrest, and detain non-citizens, facilitating the deportation of undocumented immigrants. They can question anyone they suspect lacks citizenship regarding their status in the U.S.ICE, a federal law enforcement body under the Department of Homeland Security, is playing a critical role in executing Donald Trump’s stringent immigration policies. Following Trump's inauguration in January, ICE received substantial funding increases, with a notable $75 billion package allocated for the next four years.Despite escalating arrests—up 268% to around 1,000 daily in June compared to the previous year—criticism has mounted regarding their controversial tactics and the agency's conduct in raids.