Braver Angels Debate: "Abolish ICE?"

Debate Topic:
Resolved: "Abolish ICE"

About this Event:
On January 7, 2026, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent named Jonathan Ross fatally shot Renee Good in the course of ICE’s deployment to Minneapolis to conduct immigration enforcement operations.

In the hours and days following, video footage capturing the shooting from different angles proliferated, sparking protests in Minneapolis and other American cities. At the same time, events in Minneapolis sparked a national conversation about ICE, President Trump’s immigration enforcement tactics, and the limits of federal authority. Was Ross’ use of force legal? Are ICE immigration raids in major metropolitan areas justified? Are protesters unlawfully obstructing federal agents in the execution of their duties? Should ICE be abolished, or is it necessary?

What do you think? We want to hear all perspectives on this matter of pressing public concern. Join the Braver Angels Debate Team on Thursday, February 19th for a debate on Resolved: Abolish ICE.

Remember, our resolutions never represent Braver Angels' stance on any issue, and we alternate between speeches for and against the resolution.

Come join us for this free national debate, in which all participants from across the ideological spectrum will have an opportunity to speak and ask their questions. Tell us what you have experienced and what you think.

Register on the Eventbrite page and the Zoom link will be emailed to you a couple of days prior to the event. Keep an eye out!

Questions? Email debates@braverangels.org

Registering for the Online Debate:
This is a FREE event; however, you will need to register for it. Go to the following Eventbrite link & fill out the registration form:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/national-debate-ice-registration-1981202637421?aff=oddtdtcreator&discount=BRAVER

Registration for this debate will be closed 12 hours prior to the scheduled starting time. Check your email for the confirmation message with the Zoom link - if you don't see it, check your "Junk" folder.

• Note: Braver Angels events may be recorded, and may be shared with media or used in Braver Angels publications, including web pages. Participants who object to this may disable their video.

What is "Braver Angels"?
Formerly known as "Better Angels", Braver Angels is an organization founded in 2016 to depolarize American politics through grassroots organizing. They do this primarily by hosting events for cross-partisan dialogue & civil debate. To learn more, go to https://braverangels.org/

About Braver Angels debates:
You probably haven’t experienced anything like a Braver Angels Debate. This is a highly structured conversation in which a group of people think together, listen carefully to one another, and allow themselves to be touched and perhaps changed by each other’s ideas.

To learn more about our debates, you can take a look at our Quick Start Guide and this video about the spirit of a Braver Angels Debate. For further information, including to find additional upcoming events or view recordings of some of our past debates, please visit: https://braverangels.org/what-we-do/debates/