In recent weeks, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has found itself under a glaring spotlight, with incidents in Minnesota sparking heated debate, viral social media content, and a wave of public criticism. What began as a viral video shot in Bloomington, Minnesota, featuring a brash exchange between an ICE agent and two bystanders, has snowballed into a national conversation about law enforcement pay, educational requirements, and the agency’s controversial tactics.
The video, which quickly made the rounds on platforms like X and YouTube, shows an ICE agent warning two people—one man and one woman—during an encounter. "If you get in my way, I will arrest you," the agent says in the video. The man responds calmly, "Sir, we are just observing, calm down," while the woman adds, "I am observing. Do you see me in the way? I am back." The pair, undeterred, continue to question the agent’s demeanor and motivations, asking pointedly if he has "anger issues," whether his "parents were present," and suggesting he should feel "ashamed" about his role.
The conversation takes a surprising turn when the woman, who claims to be a physician’s assistant, notes that her job—requiring seven years of schooling—earns her $200,000 a year. The ICE agent, in a tone that mixes pride and defiance, retorts, "I love my job. I can't believe I get paid for this. I'd do it for free." He then claims, "Really? I went to high school and I make $200K." The woman’s incredulity is palpable, and the internet’s reaction was swift and wide-ranging.
According to a July 2025 report by the New York Post, ICE has been offering lucrative incentives to new recruits, including $50,000 signing bonuses and base salaries between $50,000 and $90,000. Most entry-level positions require a bachelor’s degree, and some demand further graduate study unless the applicant graduated with Superior Academic Achievement (SAA). While a master’s degree can sometimes waive certain requirements, the claim that an ICE agent with only a high school diploma could earn $200,000 appears to be an exaggeration—or perhaps just a sharp retort in the heat of the moment. Still, the perception of high pay for relatively low educational requirements has fueled online outrage and debate.
On social media, reactions ranged from disbelief to biting satire. "Where do I sign up?" asked one YouTube user. Another posted on X, "this is exactly why the system is broken when mindless muscle gets paid the same as medicine." Others chimed in with comments like, "Yeah I don’t think this is the flex you think it is. We have high school educated people roaming the streets with f*****g guns. Yikes," and "wow I should apply to ICE lmao." The sentiment was clear: many felt the pay structure and qualifications for ICE agents were out of step with the responsibilities and risks of the job, especially when compared to other professions requiring far more education.
But the viral video was just the tip of the iceberg. The agency faced even fiercer scrutiny after a tragic incident on January 7, 2026. In Minneapolis, ICE agent Jonathan Ross fatally shot Renee Good while she was protesting against ICE operations in the Twin Cities. The shooting sent shockwaves through the community and beyond, triggering widespread protests and a renewed focus on ICE’s methods and accountability.
Thousands turned out for the "ICE out of Minnesota" rally and march over the weekend, expressing anger and grief in equal measure. The protests, both online and in the streets, called for systemic change and accountability for law enforcement actions. The shooting of Renee Good became a rallying point, with many seeing it as emblematic of deeper issues within the agency and the broader U.S. approach to immigration enforcement.
As the backlash intensified, social media creators and comedians seized the moment, producing a flood of parody and satire targeting ICE agents. One such video, a "Get Ready With Me" (GRWM) skit by comedian Adam Macias, racked up hundreds of thousands of views on TikTok. "Get ready with me as an absolute piece-of-shit ICE agent," Macias begins, lampooning the perceived callousness and aggression of ICE officers. The skit, filled with dark humor and biting commentary, resonated with viewers who felt frustrated by recent events.
In the video, Macias’s character jokes, "I wake up screaming and shooting. Not because I’m scared, but because my sleep paralysis demon looks like someone’s tía," blending absurdity with a pointed critique of ICE’s reputation. The mock agent’s morning routine includes multiple showers—"no matter how hard I try, I just can’t seem to get clean"—and vocal warm-ups consisting of yelling "Self-defense, self-defense" in the mirror before heading out to "deport my neighbor." The satire is unmistakable, and the message is clear: public trust in ICE is at a low ebb, and the agency’s actions are under intense scrutiny.
Another viral TikTok, titled "How ICE agents wake up in the morning," has garnered nearly 3 million views. In it, the creator sarcastically remarks, "Wow, what a lovely, beautiful day to harass people who are at work," and references a recent incident where ICE agents detained a woman who was allegedly pregnant, kneeling on her and dragging her through the snow. The video’s popularity underscores just how deeply these concerns have permeated the public consciousness.
These viral moments, both tragic and comedic, have thrust ICE’s work and culture into the national conversation. The juxtaposition of an agent boasting about a six-figure salary with only a high school education, and the tragedy of Renee Good’s death at the hands of law enforcement, has amplified calls for reform and accountability. While some defend the agency’s difficult mission, arguing that ICE agents face dangers and challenges that justify their compensation, others see the recent incidents as evidence of a system in dire need of overhaul.
As the protests continue and the internet remains ablaze with debate, one thing is clear: the conversation about ICE, its agents, and the values of American law enforcement is far from over. Whether change will come from within the agency, through policy reform, or from the persistent voices of protest and parody, remains to be seen. But for now, the spotlight is firmly on ICE—and the nation is watching closely.
