By Attorney Raven Beach
Heber Sanchez Dominguez, Renee Good, Alexi Pretti, and the list goes on. If you have followed recent news, you’re probably aware that these individuals have been killed by the United States Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in 2026. ICE is a Department of Homeland Security agency responsible for investigating and enforcing federal laws to include governing border control customs, trade, and immigration. Agents have the authority to arrest individuals suspected of being in the U.S. illegally.
There are several Constitutional rights that apply to all individuals in the United States, even those who might be here illegally. Those rights include protections under the Fourth, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendments. The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches. This means that ICE needs a valid warrant signed by a judge to enter a home without consent. The Fifth Amendment, also known as Due Process, provides the right to remain silent and prevents self-incrimination. The Fourteenth Amendment guarantees equal protection, meaning that a person should not be discriminated against based on race or ethnicity.
An internal department memo dated May 21, 2025 was leaked in January 2026 authorizing officers to enter homes without a judicial warrant. The new guidance has been responded to with legal challenges. Protestors around the country organized over the weekend to challenge the constitutionality of ICE. In a vote taken on Friday January 30, the Senate approved a limited two- week funding deal. This allows for the agency to continue operating while negotiating restrictions until an agreement is reached.
Raven Perry-Beach, Esq.
107 Jefferson St.
Suite 14
Huntsville, AL 35801
(256) 799-0292
*Licensed in Alabama, Tennessee, Massachusetts, and DC
NO CLIENT RELATIONSHIP: Communication with an attorney does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship or constitute the provision or receipt of legal advice. Any communication from this office should be considered informational only, and should not be relied or acted upon until a formal attorney-client relationship is established by written agreement.