ALBAWABA - Popular video game platform Roblox is once again the talk of the internet after videos captured players simulating virtual 'ICE raids' by imitating Immigration feds raiding a house in-game.
A video recently flooded social media platforms reignting the controversial trend by capturing in-game characters dressed as ICE agents while carrying ballistic shields as they raided a house and detained the "immigrant" residing inside of it.
The video captioned "POV: ICE is now going door to door in Roblox too," sparked mixed reactions on social media, with users urging parents to prevent their children from imitating ICE raids.
A social media user wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "These probably aren't kids. More likely older teenagers or 20-somethings RPing for the meme."
Roblox players are executing in-game 'ICE raids'
In response, other players marched down Roblox's virtual streets to protest against ICE while holding signs that expressed their discontent with the US Federal Agency.
A Bluesky user wrote regarding the virtual anti-ICE protests, "ROBLOX still sucks but the kids are alright."
Another wrote, "Every day, young users are staging virtual protests on the platform, chanting anti-ICE messages and organizing inside the game. Things escalated after ROBLOX shut down a chat room where users were saying “f*** ICE.”
According to AP, a TikTok account sharing videos of the virtual protests and raids has garnered millions of views. It seems most events are taking place inside "Brookhaven," a popular role-playing private server in the video game platform.
Clinical Science Professor at the University of California, Giovanni Ramos, says that such events are a healthy alternative for children and teens to cope with the news. However, Ramos added that the raids are "worrisome" as they might breach the game's rules.
