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UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA CEDAR FALLS, IA THURSDAY, APRIL 5 VOLUME 114, ISSUE 42 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2026
CEDAR FALLS, IA
VOLUME 122, ISSUE 17
‘No hate, no fear, ICE has no business here’
UNI students come together to rally against current ICE raids
Maci Swanson/Northern Iowan More than 50 protestors showed up, holding signs and shouting chants.
By Jenna Westendorf Managing Editor
Editors Note: All quotes from this story are anonymous for the safety of the individuals. On Jan. 22, UNI Proud and UNIdos held a peaceful protest outside of Maucker Union in response to the recent ICE crackdown in the Twin Cities and around the United States. Despite the wind and cold temperatures, students and community members showed up to support their community and protest ICE tactics. A member of UNIdos shared what the protest means for the community. The Northern Iowan is not identifying the sources quoted in this article. “I think this protest is really important for students so everyone can see that we are united, and we are also trying to support our community,” they said. The member also touched on being there for students who could not physically be at the protest due to fears of their safety. The protest is in response to the recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids across the country, most recently in the Twin Cities. On Jan. 7, 37-year-old Renee Good was shot and killed in her vehicle by an ICE agent, sparking nationwide protests about tactics used by ICE. The Trump administration has defended the shooting, saying that the agent shot in self-defense, while supporters argued that Good did nothing wrong. This is one of two ICE-related shootings in Minneapolis. On Jan. 24, 37-year-old Alex Pretti was shot and killed by immigration officials. The Department of Homeland Security said the shooting was a result of Pretti approaching Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semiautomatic handgun and attempting to disarm the officer. However, videos filmed at the scene, reviewed by multiple news organizations, show Pretti
was holding his phone — not a gun, when he was tackled by federal officers. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has accused both Good and Pretti of being a “domestic terrorist,” and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Ja-
cob Frey, and Saint Paul Mayor Kaohly Her have all called on the Trump administration to remove federal agents from their state and cities, and for ICE to end their immigration enforcement in the Twin Cities. A member of UNI Proud shared
Maci Swanson/Northern Iowan Protestors were holding handmade signs with various sayings such as “silence is violence.”
how the protest brings attention to the recent violence occurring in the United States. “UNI Proud and UNIDos are holding this protest to really bring attention and light to the recent violence that has been [happening] against the LGBTQ community and against UNIdos Latinx community.” Many students were worried about the impact of ICE operations on their communities. “This protest is important to me because both of my grandparents are immigrants…and I’ve grown up in the Latino community seeing the importance that we add to the workforce and to America, but as well as what we strive for and achieve in the United States,” shared a thirdyear UNI student. “So as someone who came from immigrants…it’s important for me to fight for these families who come here for a better life.” Those who came to the protest brought signs, such as “Silence is violence,” “No human is illegal,” “Love melts ICE” and “When cruelty becomes normal, compassion looks radical!” Leaders led chants such as “Say it once, say it twice, we will not put up with ICE” and “No hate, no fear, ICE has no business here.” “With everything going on in the world, and especially in our own country, it’s very important that we show up and use our voice,” a UNI senior said. “It’s great to see the community come out and support those who can’t.” A third-year UNI student added, “As my grandparents told me growing up, the American Dream. If we don’t fight now, then there will be no fight later.”