Several WNY Politicians Demand ICE Back Down

In the last year, since the new President has taken over control of the federal administrative branch of government in America, the people have seen all sorts of things change in the country. While some things have changed for the good, and others have changed for the bad, there is no question that things in 2026 are significantly different from what they have been.

Regardless of the political side you fall on, there is a growing sentiment that the latest actions the federal government has taken to reduce the number of undocumented immigrants living in the nation may have gone too far. Especially since the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minnesota, in addition to at least 6 other detainees who have died, at the hands of officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

These tragic deaths have led to more politicians at all levels of government to call for ICE to reduce its operations across the nation, including some voices that are right here in the Buffalo area.

Multiple Buffalo Area Politicians Demand ICE Back Down Operations In Cities

Immigration officers have been quite busy for the past few months as the Federal government has stepped up enforcement efforts to remove people from the country who do not have a legal status. In the months since efforts have been stepped up, tons of people who are properly in the nation, both legal residents and citizens, have been caught up in ICE raids and enforcement. Because of this and other issues, there have been protests nationwide in an effort to force operations to calm down.

There have been several protests right here in Western New York, and now several local politicians have joined the call for ICE to get out of town.

KEEP READING: 2 New York Men Among ICE’s Most Wanted

On Thursday, January 29, 2026, quite a few Buffalo area politicians gathered to protest ICE and demand that it operate lawfully and be held accountable to the people.

A number of community leaders and political office holders, including the Rev. Mark Blue from the NAACP Buffalo Branch, New York State Assemblymember Jon Rivera, New York State Senator April Baskin, and others, joined Congressman Tim Kennedy in calling for ICE to tone things down, along with the resignation of Department of Homeland Security Director Kristi Noem

The federal government is out of control, and is going to try to force their out of control federal agency down our throats... We’re gonna stand up and we’re gonna say ‘they’re not welcome here’ it starts that way, we have to speak truth to power.
-Tim Kennedy, Representative for New York's 26th Congressional District

With all of the enforcement efforts we've seen in Western New York, we may see more protests coming if cooler heads don't prevail.