‘I’m a U.S. citizen’: Here’s a masterclass in how to deal with ICE thugs demanding to see your papers

It sounds like something from a bad dystopian novel, but as we speak masked government goons are stalking the streets threatening random people and demanding to see their papers. They said ‘it could never happen here’. Well, it has, and you might be the next person who finds themselves surrounded by four intimidating masked men in camo gear with itchy trigger fingers.

So what do you do if that happens? Well, one Minnesotan woman has just delivered a masterclass in standing her ground and asserting her rights:

🚨 Another day, another video of ICE agents illegally harassing a U.S. citizen for “proof of citizenship” while she walks through her own neighborhood in Minneapolis.

In the video, a woman is surrounded by masked ICE agents.

One agent tells her, “Do you have ID? If not, we’ll… pic.twitter.com/RJ8UBrFKPs

— Jesus Freakin Congress (@TheJFreakinC) January 14, 2026

The video is shot by a woman walking through her neighborhood when she’s surrounded by masked men who demand to see her papers, telling her: “Do you have ID? If not, we’ll have to put you in our car and ID you.”

She doesn’t give them an inch, calmly telling them “I’m a U.S. citizen” and not engaging with their games. Pointedly but unaggressively, she tells them that there’s no law saying Americans must carry any form of identification while walking the streets, and that they have no authority to detain her for a moment longer.

“Minneapolis is my home”

ICE promptly cranks up the intimidation, beginning to demand she tell them her place of birth. The aim is to make her terrified that, regardless of her citizenship, they consider anyone born outside the U.S. a second-class citizen. That said, we don’t know where this woman was born as she refuses to play their games, coolly saying, “Minneapolis is my home”.

Again and again, they turn up the aggression, threatening to drag her into their vehicle. She tells them, I should be able to walk around at 3 without being afraid for my life.” The threats continue until they finally realize they cannot simply push this woman around until she caves in, and then let her go.

There are several important lessons here. One is that U.S. citizens do not need to carry ID when walking around, and a federal agent has no right to ask for it. They might lie that they have the right, but the simple fact is that they explicitly do not. As the ACLU confirms:

“You have the right to remain silent and do not have to discuss your immigration or citizenship status with police, immigration agents or any other officials. You do not have to answer questions about where you were born, whether you are a U.S. citizen, or how you entered the country.”

Another lesson is to always be recording them on your phone. If possible, live-stream the encounter so there’s a remote recording. As has become abundantly clear, your Constitutional rights don’t necessarily mean much to ICE, but they’re far less likely to violate them if they know they’re on film.

Finally, remember to keep your cool. Don’t yell, don’t get emotional, don’t give them an excuse to black bag you. Simply assert your rights, stand your ground, and don’t give them the satisfaction of getting under your skin. These people are pathetic bullies: never give them an inch.