On February 19, 2026, a wave of legislative and policy actions across the United States signaled a new chapter in the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement and the accountability of federal agents. From the statehouses of New Jersey to the offices of prosecutors in Cook County, Illinois, and the streets of Minnesota’s suburbs, lawmakers, prosecutors, and community members are grappling with the evolving tactics of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the balance between public safety, civil liberties, and federal authority.
In New Jersey, state lawmakers advanced three closely watched immigration-related bills aimed at strengthening protections for migrants and curbing the influence of federal immigration agents in the Garden State. According to reporting by New Jersey Monitor, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved the measures after they cleared an Assembly panel the previous week. The most prominent of these bills proposes to codify the Immigrant Trust Directive, a 2018 order from the state attorney general that restricts when local and state police can cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
"This is an American issue, and I’m here because I believe deeply in our country and in upholding our Constitution, which, again, also protects citizens as well as immigrants," said Sen. Britnee Timberlake (D-Essex), the bill’s sponsor, as quoted by New Jersey Monitor. The other two bills would restrict law enforcement from wearing masks in certain circumstances and bolster privacy protections for information immigrants share with public entities and health care facilities.
Yet, not everyone is satisfied. Immigrant advocates argue that the current version of the codification bill is less robust than an earlier iteration vetoed by former Governor Phil Murphy in January. Activists worry that the revised bill would allow police to turn over people with final orders of removal or pending criminal charges to ICE—potentially placing those with protections such as Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) at risk of detention and deportation, even if their cases are still being appealed.
"We are not opposed to the spirit of these bills, but we are firmly opposed to the process by which the Legislature is being made to walk back their values in order to provide cover for a new governor who had made ill-informed public statements without understanding the full scope of the issue," said Amy Torres, head of the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice. Ami Kachalia of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey echoed these concerns, warning that if DACA or TPS ends, many New Jersey residents could face devastating consequences. Katy Sastre of First Friends of NJ & NY added, "You are bypassing due process for tens of thousands of New Jerseyans by removing the final orders of pending charges from the version that was passed in January. I know this Legislature can do it, because you already did it."
The measures largely moved forward along party lines, with most Republicans opposed and Democrats in support. Sen. Tony Bucco (R-Morris) summarized the ambivalence, stating, "Part of my concern is that there are things in this legislation that I can support, and there’s things that I can’t, and I think we’re taking a step too far by legislating this." With one in four New Jersey residents being immigrants and over 500,000 estimated to be undocumented, the stakes are high. Additional anti-ICE bills have been introduced, including proposals to impose a 50% tax on private detention centers’ gross receipts and to ban ICE agents from future government or teaching positions in the state.
Meanwhile, in Illinois, Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke announced a sweeping policy change that could have national implications. As reported by WTTW News, O’Neill Burke’s office will now prosecute federal immigration agents for criminal misconduct whenever felony charges are warranted—particularly in cases involving death, shootings, violence, or excessive use of force during immigration enforcement operations. The move follows a series of high-profile incidents, including the deaths of two civilians during an ICE surge in Minneapolis last month and the fatal shooting of Silverio Villegas González during a traffic stop in Franklin Park.
"No one is above the law—including both ICE agents and prosecutors," O’Neill Burke declared. "If a federal law enforcement agent commits a crime, my office will not hesitate to act, in accordance with state law. This protocol establishes clear, legally sound guidelines to ensure we have a responsible and effective path to pursue accountability." The new protocol, reviewed by the Illinois Attorney General’s Office and the State’s Attorneys Association, outlines every phase of potential cases, from investigation to charging decisions.
The policy shift was welcomed by local leaders. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle praised the clarity it brings to prosecutors and law enforcement, stating, "Federal agents cannot act with impunity in Cook County. They provide prosecutors and law enforcement with the clarity and guidance needed to investigate misconduct and pursue accountability." Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson added, "Holding violent federal agents accountable when they disregard local law cannot depend on political whims; it must be grounded in the principle that no one is above the law."
Despite these moves toward accountability, the reality on the ground remains complex. In Minnesota, Operation Metro Surge—an intensive ICE initiative—was officially declared over on February 12, 2026, following an announcement by federal immigration czar Tom Homan. However, as Sahan Journal reports, the atmosphere in the Twin Cities suburbs tells a different story. Observers and elected officials have noted that while ICE operations have become less visible in the city proper, activity has not diminished in suburbs like Fridley, Columbia Heights, Minnetonka, and Eden Prairie. Instead, ICE agents have shifted to more covert tactics: wearing casual clothes, using unmarked or older vehicles, operating in smaller groups, and even posing as environmental canvassers.
"They’re much stealthier," said Avonna Starck, a Fridley resident and environmental nonprofit worker. "They’re not in full military garb. They’re wearing jeans, they’ve got baseball caps on, you really have to look for them now." These tactics have raised safety concerns for both the community and local organizations, with reports of agents going door-to-door and targeting bus stops. Mary, an Eden Prairie resident involved in a community watch group, described the persistent presence: "They’re there every single day. There’s not a day since this announcement we haven’t seen them."
Community observers and even elected officials have reported being followed, harassed, or surveilled by ICE agents. State Senator Erin Maye Quade recounted an uptick in aggressive behavior toward observers, while State Representative Alex Falconer described being followed by an ICE vehicle on his way to the State Capitol. Drones and helicopters have also become a frequent sight over suburban neighborhoods, contributing to an atmosphere of unease and uncertainty.
For many residents and advocates, the end of Operation Metro Surge has not brought relief. "This is still ongoing, and the devastating impacts are going to be generational," Maye Quade said. As lawmakers and prosecutors across the country take steps to limit federal immigration enforcement and hold agents accountable, the lived experiences of those in affected communities serve as a stark reminder that the struggle over immigration policy, civil rights, and public safety is far from settled.
Amid shifting laws and tactics, the question of how to balance enforcement with fairness and dignity remains an open—and urgent—challenge for America’s cities and states.