How Nonprofits Are Responding to ICE — And What You Can Do
Under President Trump’s second term, communities across the country have seen intensified Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) presence, accompanied by stories of families separated, constitutional rights violated, and neighbors living in fear.
In Minneapolis, Operation Metro Surge marked a significant escalation in both scale and tactics. The January 2026 deaths of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti — two civilians killed by federal agents in Minneapolis while trying to protect their community — have brought renewed attention to ICE’s controversial tactics and galvanized organizations to push back.
And the stakes couldn’t be higher: Amid this national controversy, debates over ICE funding have led to congressional stalemates as ICE is deployed to airports across the country.
Many nonprofit organizations are using Engaging Networks’ advocacy tools to mobilize their supporters, put pressure on elected officials, and give everyday people a way to make their voices heard. Here’s a look at what some of our clients are doing to respond to ICE, and how you can get involved.
National Immigration Law Center
Since 1979, the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) has been one of the country’s leading legal advocates for the rights of low-income immigrants. The NILC takes on unjust policies in court, in statehouses, and in Congress. Their Know Your Rights resources are especially vital right now, giving community members and local advocates the tools to navigate an increasingly hostile enforcement landscape.
Add your voice to the NILC’s campaign to stop Congress from funding ICE and CBP.
Amnesty International
Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning human rights organization with more than 10 million members worldwide. The U.S. branch (AIUSA) focuses on investigating and exposing abuses, mobilizing the public, and advocating for human rights wherever they are denied. Amnesty International continues to run campaigns to shut down immigration detention facilities and defund ICE.
Act now and send a message to your Senator.
Human Rights Campaign
Founded in 1980, Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is the country’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization. HRC has consistently connected LGBTQ+ rights with the broader fight for civil liberties and dignity, and its members are currently mobilizing to oppose ICE — including providing protest guides and calling on lawmakers to defund the agency.
Take action with HRC and send a letter to Congress.
Organic Consumers Association
The Organic Consumers Association’s (OCA) core focus is food safety and sustainable agriculture — but they’re based in Minnesota, and the recent ICE-related deaths in their backyard has moved them to act. Their message is simple: Regardless of anyone’s position on immigration, every human being deserves dignity, humane treatment, and due process.
Join the OCA in telling Congress to stop the ICE escalation.
Southern Poverty Law Center
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has spent more than 50 years using litigation, research, and advocacy to fight discrimination and protect civil rights. They’ve been at the forefront of challenging unconstitutional immigration enforcement in court, and their research documenting the human impact of these policies helps make the case for change.
Take action with the SPLC and send a letter to Congress.
HIAS
HIAS was founded in 1881 to help Jewish immigrants escaping persecution, and has since grown into an international humanitarian organization that serves refugees and displaced people of all backgrounds. Grounded in the Jewish value of welcoming the stranger, HIAS provides resettlement support, legal representation, and mental health services, while also advocating for humane immigration and refugee policies.
Take action with HIAS and send a message to Congress.
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, representing 8,400 worshiping communities, and it has deep roots in immigration advocacy. Through its AMMPARO strategy (“Accompany Migrants with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities”), the ELCA has long stood with refugees and immigrants as a matter of faith — providing resettlement support, legal resources, and public witness on immigration policy.
Now they’re calling on people of faith to add their voices to the fight.
OpenMedia
OpenMedia is a Canadian nonprofit that fights to keep the internet open, affordable, and free from surveillance. Their advocacy often finds the places where corporate power intersects with civil rights. Right now, they have their sights set on Hootsuite, a Canadian company that provides social media technology to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. OpenMedia is calling on the tech industry to stop enabling authoritarianism.
Public Citizen
Public Citizen is a nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to fighting corruption, protecting democracy, and holding corporations and the government accountable to ordinary people. They’ve been active on multiple fronts pushing back against the Trump administration.
Throughout 2026, they’ve been calling on Congress to visit federal detention facilities and rein in ICE — and they need your voice.
Partnering for Human Rights
Engaging Networks is proud to partner with organizations like these doing meaningful work to combat ICE and defend human rights. Please take a minute to take one (or all!) of the actions above — and if you’d like to get involved further, each of these organizations has much more to offer.
If your nonprofit is looking for better ways to mobilize your own community, learn how our advocacy tools can help.
