Newsbrief January 19, 2026

Current tensions in the United States revolve around escalated ICE raids in major cities, President Trump's aggressive campaign to acquire Greenland through tariff threats, and a recent US military intervention that captured Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro. 

These developments have ignited widespread protests domestically, strained diplomatic relations with European allies, and exacerbated humanitarian crises abroad. Trump has explicitly linked his pursuit of Greenland to a perceived snub over the Nobel Peace Prize, while emphasizing Arctic security threats from Russia and China. 

ICE Raids in Major Cities 

Federal agents are conducting intense immigration enforcement operations in cities such as Minneapolis, Chicago, and Los Angeles. In Minneapolis alone, up to 2,000 agents have been deployed following allegations of fraud in the Somali community, and a fatal shooting of resident Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer has sparked protests, National Guard activations, and calls to impeach DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. 

Chicago has seen nearly 900 arrests, prompting local governments to establish "ICE-free zones" and other resistance measures.

Escalating Tensions Over Greenland

President Trump is threatening 10-25% tariffs on Denmark and seven European allies—including Norway, Sweden, Germany, France, Finland, the UK, and the Netherlands—effective February 1, unless they back a US takeover of Greenland. 

He justifies this by citing national security risks from Russia and China, as well as Greenland's vast resources. Massive protests in Nuuk feature chants of "Yankee go home," while Europe responds with military reinforcements under "Arctic Endurance" and failed talks with VP Vance. Russia has mocked the standoff, portraying it as Europe's dilemma.

Developments in Venezuela 

On January 3, 2026, US forces launched Operation Absolute Resolve, which involved bombing key infrastructure and abducting President Maduro and his wife for trial in New York, resulting in nearly 50 Venezuelan soldiers killed. In response, Venezuela has mobilized paramilitaries, detained journalists, and entered discussions to restore US diplomatic ties, even as warnings of further US actions persist. Nearly 8 million Venezuelans now require urgent humanitarian aid, but UN efforts remain only 17% funded from 2025 levels.

Safety Measures for Residents in ICE-Affected Cities

People living in cities like Minneapolis and Chicago can protect themselves by first creating detailed family emergency plans and distributing "Know Your Rights" cards to neighbors. 

They should lock their doors and refuse entry to agents without a valid judicial warrant, while remaining calm, avoiding resistance or flight, and exercising their right to silence during encounters. 

Community members can film interactions from a safe distance without interfering, move indoors during nearby raids, and use encrypted apps like Signal to share real-time agent location alerts, alongside mutual aid networks for legal aid, food, and emotional support.

Support Actions from People in Other States 

Individuals in unaffected states can participate in nationwide demonstrations, such as the "ICE Out For Good" protest weekends organized by groups like the ACLU. They should contact their representatives to oppose funding for these raids, host local "Know Your Rights" training sessions, and volunteer with rapid response networks to provide on-the-ground help. Additional steps include amplifying verified reports on social media, advocating for sanctuary city policies, and boycotting businesses that cooperate with ICE to create economic pressure.

Ways to Help Greenland and Venezuela 

To support Greenland, citizens can urge their congressional representatives to reject the proposed tariffs and any territorial nominations, while signing and sharing international petitions affirming Greenlandic and Danish sovereignty. Donations can go to NGOs like WWF Arctic programs or local Inuit-led groups focused on cultural preservation and economic resilience, building on modest US aid levels of about $546,000 in FY2024.

For Venezuela, people can contribute directly to established organizations such as the International Rescue Committee (IRC), UNHCR, or the World Food Programme (WFP) to fund the $1.4 billion regional humanitarian plan covering food, health, and refugee support in Venezuela and neighboring countries like Colombia. They can also sign petitions pressing Congress to prioritize humanitarian funding over military operations.