The sound of chants and the rhythm of drums carried through Fort Collins as protesters gathered for the  nationwide “Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Out” protest on Jan. 30, 2026. The crowd brought together multiple generations, from children to the elderly, including a large number of CSU students. The protest addressed the rising concerns surrounding current ICE practices. The major controversy lies with how the government has handled the detention, deportation and treatment of immigrants residing in the United States. Some argue that ICE Agents, who serve as federal officers, have taken their enforcement methods past the point of abiding by our constitution. There have been documented cases in which removal operation actions resulted in family separations, serious injury and in some instances, deaths during or as a result of detention. Others believe these operations support national security and have the potential to mitigate economic concerns. 

For this occasion, many protesters made signs, sharing messages of love and justice for all victims of ICE enforcements. Other protesters carried signs condemning the agents and President Trump’s support of these actions. The crowd, chants and posters all shared a clear purpose: to be present and to let your voice be heard. In doing so, the Fort Collins community joined in a national conversation about the rising polarization over the issue of how to approach immigration.