ICE Raids Leave Students Frozen with Fear
Paola Ruiz | NEWS EDITOR
January 29, 2026
As Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids increase across the United States, students at Whittier College report growing fear, anxiety and frustration about enforcement tactics and their impact on immigrant communities.
A Quaker Campus survey sent out to the student body gathered student perspectives on the ongoing raids, how they are affecting campus climate and whether protests and government actions are making a difference.
The survey’s respondents were diverse in identity and political alignment. Of the students who responded, 88.9 percent identified as U.S. citizens or permanent residents, while 11.1 percent identified as neither U.S. citizens nor permanent residents.
In addition, 55.6 percent aligned with the Democratic Party, while 44.4 percent identified as Independent. The respondents were 66.7 percent female and 33.3 percent male. Furthermore, 44.4 percent identified as White, 44.4 percent identified as Hispanic and/or Latino, and 11.2 percent identified as both White and Hispanic and/or Latino.
When asked who they voted for in the 2024 Presidential Election, 77.8 percent said they voted for Kamala Harris, while 22.2 percent said they could not vote due to eligibility reasons, including age and citizenship status.
Students were asked to rate how aware they are of ICE raids happening across the U.S. Eighty percent of students rated their awareness at the highest level, while 20 percent selected lower ratings.
This suggests that most students feel sufficiently informed and that the issue is widely discussed through media and conversation.
The survey also asked students to rate their concern for immigrant communities affected by ICE raids. Eighty percent of students selected the highest level of concern, while 20 percent selected the level just below it.
No students selected low-concern options, showing that student responses were overwhelmingly unified in their concern about how the raids are impacting immigrant communities.
Students were also asked to describe how they are currently feeling amid the ongoing situation.
One student who identifies as Hispanic and/or Latino described their emotional state by writing, “Sad. Worried, scared, concerned.”
“This is how the Nazi party began. Donald
Trump’s own personal Gestapo (ICE) is acting above the law […]”
The student’s response highlights the anxiety many respondents communicated as raids continue and protests spread across the nation.
Other students connected the raids to broader political and historical concerns. One student who identifies as White wrote, “This is how the Nazi party began. Donald Trump’s own personal Gestapo (ICE) is acting above the law […] We are at the point where we cannot peacefully protest against ICE anymore. It took a war to stop Hitler. Let’s end what’s happening today before we get there again.”
The student’s statement indicates concerns that immigration enforcement is shifting into authoritarian practices that target vulnerable communities.
A student who identifies as Native American criticized the raids through a legal lens, writing, “It is not ok and against the constitution.”
Although short, the response reflects concerns about civil liberties and the legality of enforcement tactics.
Students were also asked whether they personally knew people who are currently scared or anxious because of ICE raids. Ninety percent of students said yes, while 10 percent selected no.
This indicates that fear surrounding immigration enforcement is not distant for many students, but connected to people they know personally.
Students also reflected on whether ICE raids have become more or less violent compared to previous raids in 2025. Ninety percent of students said the raids have become more violent, while 10 percent said the raids are around the same level of violence.
No students said raids have become less violent, demonstrating growing alarm about the intensity of enforcement practices.
Students shared where they have seen information about ICE raids. All students reported seeing information through social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok or Facebook.
Eighty percent of students said they saw information through news outlets such as AP News, CNN or Fox. While 70 percent of students said they received information from friends and family, 60 percent said they learned about ICE raids through professors and classes.
No students reported not seeing information about the raids.
The results show that students are not relying on only one source for updates. Instead, they are staying informed through a combination of mainstream news coverage, social media and personal community connections.
Students also reflected on whether they think their local and state governments are doing something to combat ICE raids.
When talking about local city government, 50 percent of students said maybe, 30 percent said yes and 20 percent said no. When asked about the state government, 50 percent of students said maybe, 30 percent said no and 20 percent said yes.
These results suggest that many students are uncertain about how effective government actions are at the local and state levels or how visible those actions have been to the public.
Students also shared their opinions on whether President Donald Trump is worsening or helping the current ICE raids. All students said that the President is worsening the situation.
No students said President Trump is helping, reflecting strong dissatisfaction with federal leadership and the current direction of immigration enforcement.
Student concerns come as widely reported incidents have intensified national backlash.
On Jan. 22, a five-year-old boy, Liam Conejo Ramos, was detained alongside his father in Minnesota and later transferred to a detention facility in Texas.
According to reporting from the Associated Press, the case drew national attention and increased public scrutiny toward immigration enforcement, especially involving children.
Student fear has also grown amid cases involving deaths connected to federal enforcement operations.
Renée Macklin Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, was fatally shot by a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis. According to The Guardian, the case became a national flashpoint, with a federal investigation and public criticism surrounding the actions taken during the operation.
As immigration enforcement expands, detention has increased as well.
According to the American Immigration Council, the number of people held in ICE detention on any given day increased by over 75 percent in one year. The Council also reported that ICE was using 91 percent more detention facilities by late 2025 compared to early 2025, while “at-large” arrests increased by 600 percent, showing a shift toward broader enforcement strategies.
Students were also asked whether protests are an effective way to bring awareness to issues like ICE raids. Seventy percent of students said yes, while 30 percent said maybe.
No students said no.
The responses reflect students’ belief that public action can bring attention