Nationwide Protests Against ICE Prompt 'National Shutdown'

Businesses across the US close for a day of demonstrations against immigration enforcement actions.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 7:55pm

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Protesters across the United States participated in a 24-hour general strike on Friday, demonstrating against the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in some cities and the fatal shootings of two residents by federal agents in Minneapolis. Organizers called for a 'National Shutdown,' asking students to skip school, business owners to close up shop, and consumers to refrain from spending for the day.

Why it matters

The protests reflect growing tensions in communities where the Trump administration has deployed federal immigration agents, with many of the high-profile enforcement efforts concentrated in so-called 'sanctuary cities.' The demonstrations also come after the fatal police shootings of two Minneapolis residents, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, which have further inflamed local anger over immigration enforcement tactics.

The details

Businesses across the country, from small climbing gyms to major online publishers, closed their doors or allowed employees to take the day off to participate in the protests. Photos show crowds of demonstrators holding signs that said 'ICE Out' in cities like Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., New York, Boston, and Minneapolis.

  • The 'National Shutdown' protests took place on Friday, January 31, 2026.
  • The fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis occurred within a few weeks of each other.

The players

Renee Good

A Minneapolis resident who was fatally shot by federal agents.

Alex Pretti

A 37-year-old registered nurse in Minneapolis who was fatally shot by a Border Patrol agent.

Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation

A labor union organization that endorsed the general strike in Minnesota following the shootings.

Department of Justice

Announced a civil rights investigation into the shooting of Alex Pretti.

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What’s next

The Department of Justice's civil rights investigation into the shooting of Alex Pretti is ongoing.

The takeaway

The nationwide protests against ICE and the fatal shootings by federal agents in Minneapolis highlight the growing tensions and concerns within communities over aggressive immigration enforcement tactics, particularly in so-called 'sanctuary cities' that have resisted the Trump administration's crackdown on undocumented immigrants.