Diverse Protest Methods Target ICE and Corporate Allies Amid Immigration Crackdowns
A variety of protest tactics have been employed across the United States to challenge Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations and related corporate entities during ongoing immigration crackdowns in 2025.
In Monrovia, activists prompted a short-term closure of a Home Depot store by buying and returning approximately 100 ice scrapers priced at $0.17 each. This action was linked to the August death of Roberto Carlos Montoya Valdez during an immigration sweep.
In Portland, the Frog Brigade deployed inflatable frog costumes outside an ICE facility to symbolize nonviolence and de-escalate tensions. Despite this, one protester, Seth "Toad" Todd, was pepper-sprayed by an ICE agent.
Los Angeles saw continuous "No Sleep for ICE" protests since June, targeting hotels such as AC Hotel Pasadena, Home2 Suites Montebello, and Embassy Suites Downey where ICE and border agents were lodged. These efforts aimed to disrupt the LA immigration crackdown.
The #TeslaTakedown protests began in February outside Tesla showrooms, involving thousands who sold Teslas and launched campaigns against Elon Musk. By the end of May, Musk ended his special government employee position, and Tesla's US sales hit a new low.
Following Disney’s decision to pull Jimmy Kimmel’s ABC show after encouragement from the FCC chair, activists canceled about 3 million Disney+ and 4.1 million Hulu subscriptions. ABC reinstated the show on September 23.
In Little Village, the Community Council distributed plastic whistles as a means to signal ICE presence and share detainee information. This method spread to cities including New York, New Orleans, and parts of North Carolina.
Free DC organized nightly five-minute cacerolazos, banging pots and pans at 7pm, drawing from Latin American protest traditions to press for local control amid federal actions.
Memphis launched "Joy Rising: Block by Block," a series of pop-up block parties featuring voter-registration, know-your-rights training, music, food, arts, and games. Organized by Free the 901, the events aimed to uplift Black and brown communities against policing and oppression during the 2026 election cycle.
Finally, Women’s March Win released a minute-long ad campaign depicting an ICE agent returning home to his daughter, encouraging agents to quit and walk away. This ad aired in Chicago, Charlotte, and West Palm Beach.
