protesters

Allegations of inhumane conditions at immigration detention facilities can prompt federal litigation, draw scrutiny from members of Congress and political actors, and lead to public demonstrations and separate legal claims (including claims involving First Amendment rights).

Civil liberties groups and observers reported in 2025 that federal immigration officers have used aggressive tactics, including dragging people from vehicles, using tear gas, and firing pepper balls at immigrants, protesters, and journalists.

Demonstrations related to immigration enforcement often concentrate within a small area immediately adjacent to immigration detention facilities rather than spreading across a city's wider downtown area.

Deploying federal law enforcement officers to urban protests can escalate confrontations between protesters and authorities and contribute to lasting damage to a city's public image.

Operational missteps by police, federal agents, protesters, and counterprotesters during prolonged demonstrations can exacerbate tensions, increase fatigue and trauma among law enforcement, and perpetuate cycles of unrest.

Orders or policies requiring activation of body-worn cameras can specify location-based exceptions (for example, jails and ports of entry) and can accompany or be paired with limits on use-of-force measures such as tear gas and requirements to give protesters warnings to disperse.