Story perspectives

ICE Faces Backlash Over Massive Detention Raid and Expansion

2/17/2026

Summary

ICE Detention Controversy

An Idaho lawsuit filed by U.S. citizens alleges U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted a violent raid, detaining about 400 people.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) says the operation aimed to meet deportation quotas, not pursue illegal activity.
ICE plans to expand detention capacity to 92,600 beds, including mega-centers and regional processing sites, funded by congressional allocations, fueling backlash among communities that supported U.S. President Donald Trump.

Summary

ICE Raids Café

On February 13, authorities conducted a multi-agency raid at La Lunita Cafetería in Hialeah, Florida, arresting 14 people for drug distribution and operating without licenses.
The operation, named Operation Luna Caída, involved Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other agencies.
Among those arrested were the bar's manager and a security guard accused of narcotics distribution.
The café has been shut down pending further investigations, providing relief to nearby businesses.

History

Historical Context

Operation Wetback, initiated in June 1954 under President Dwight D. Eisenhower, aimed to deport over 1.1 million undocumented Mexican nationals using military-style tactics. This operation reflected a historical pattern of aggressive immigration enforcement, reminiscent of earlier deportations during the Great Depression. Recent actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) echo these past practices, highlighting ongoing tensions surrounding immigration policy in the U.S.

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ICE Detention Controversy

An Idaho lawsuit filed by U.S. citizens alleges U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted a violent raid, detaining about 400 people.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) says the operation aimed to meet deportation quotas, not pursue illegal activity.
ICE plans to expand detention capacity to 92,600 beds, including mega-centers and regional processing sites, funded by congressional allocations, fueling backlash among communities that supported U.S. President Donald Trump.

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