Since before the creation of the United States of America, men and women have immigrated to the Americas in search for freedom of religion, speech, work, and for new experiences. The story of the Mayflower tells that Puritan pilgrims left England in search of religious freedom in 1620. Over 100 years later in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress establishing the split between the 13 colonies and Britain. The “United Colonies” were later renamed “The United States of America” by the Second Continental Congress on September 9, 1776. Over the past 250 years, immigrants from across the globe have come to the U.S. in search of new opportunities.
The process to become an American citizen before the second Trump Administration was fairly similar for several years. One must become a lawfully permanent resident and then obtain a green card for 3-5+ years. During this time, the applicant must maintain good citizenship, pass a civics test, and check criminal records, among other things.
While the current atmosphere around Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is polarizing, it has not always been this way. When ICE was created in 2003, its original purpose was to enforce immigration laws, investigate human trafficking, disrupt smuggling operations, and protect national security. For many people, these goals were seen as responsibilities of the federal government. The agency was intended to focus on organized crime and violations of the law rather than becoming the center of everyday political conflict.
Over time, however, the public perception of ICE has changed. In recent years, the agency has become more associated with large-scale raids and family separations. Fear within immigrant communities has grown exponentially through 2025 and 2026. For many families, especially those who have lived and worked in the United States for years, ICE has come to bring uncertainty rather than protection. This change has made immigration one of the most debated issues in the country.
Many Americans still believe immigration laws should be enforced, but they also believe enforcement should remain focused on the original mission of addressing trafficking networks and violent crime. Critics of ICE argue that when enforcement becomes more aggressive, it can damage trust between communities and government institutions.
Because immigration has always been part of American history, the debate today is not simply about law enforcement. It is also about how the United States can protect its borders while continuing to reflect the values of opportunity and freedom which helped shape our nation from the beginning.
