ICE's presence in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is one of the biggest subjects of online discourse right now, and a recent TikTok comment relating to the topic is being touted as a prime example of how not to engage with it.

The comment is "I prefer my ice… crushed," and it's going viral alongside an edited photo of a cat looking down on someone from a point of superiority.

So, what exactly is controversial about the comment, and how has social media turned it into a meme? Here's what you need to know,

What Is The 'I Prefer My Ice Crushed' Meme?

The viral comment comes from a TikToker who goes by "Amy." It was purportedly left on January 11th, 2026, on an unknown video of an ICE agent having a violent altercation with someone in Minneapolis.

In response to the video, Amy posted an edited photo of a cat wearing makeup and long earrings, shot from an angle that makes it look like the cat is looking down on someone. Alongside the cat image, they wrote, "I prefer my ice… crushed."

The comment is a play on crushed ice, which some people prefer in their drinks, used to suggest that they prefer ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents "crushed."

How Is 'I Prefer My Ice Crushed' Used In Memes?

In the days after the comment was posted, it was screenshotted and started spreading online. It popped up on X through a repost by @nrgdyt_ in late January 2026 and gained thousands of likes, soon going viral on TikTok and X / Twitter as well.

Many people have had negative reactions to the comment in general, finding it to be insensitive and cringeworthy, since it relates to a violent incident.

Others have taken the comment and the image of the cat and started making variations of the meme. These memes replace certain words in the phrase "I prefer my ice crushed" to reference other memes and pop culture moments, resulting in a lot of absurd takes on the original, controversial comment.

What Are Some More 'I Prefer My Ice Crushed' Memes?

@pillow840 Ts tuff 🥹 #pillowtooreall #pillow840 ♬ original sound – sharty truffle

@ajyaps69

i prefer my ice…crushed 🥶🧊

♬ Chthonic Symphony – AKIRA YAMAOKA

---

For the full history of the I Prefer My Ice Crushed meme, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's encyclopedia entry for more information.