How to Protect Yourself and Your Community During ICE Operations

Based on reporting from Wired magazine

With ICE operations intensifying across the country—including the deadly shooting of Minneapolis resident Renee Good—many Americans are asking what they can do to protect themselves and keep their communities safe. The answer depends on your situation and risk tolerance, but there are concrete steps everyone can take.

Make a Safety Plan

Create emergency contacts for yourself and your family. Memorize phone numbers. Make sure your children's schools have backup guardians on file. If you're at specific risk, consider establishing power of attorney and emergency guardianship arrangements.

Non-white Americans should be especially cautious—a 2025 Supreme Court decision allows someone's "apparent ethnicity" to justify detention during immigration enforcement.

If You Witness an ICE Operation

Your goal is to observe and document, not intervene. Film what's happening—it creates accountability and an evidence trail. Use the "SALUTE" method when reporting:

Size (number of agents)
Activity (what’s happening)
Location (where and which direction)
Units (uniform markings)
Time (when you saw them)
Equipment (vehicles, weapons, crowd control tools).

If an agent tells you to step back, comply immediately and say it out loud for your recording.

Proximity matters. The closer you are to federal agents, the higher your risk of being tackled, arrested, or charged—even if charges are later dropped.

Ways to Help From Home

Community support doesn’t always require being on the street. Residents can contact local officials to oppose surveillance contracts and information-sharing agreements with companies like Flock and stop information-sharing with ICE. Volunteering with mutual aid groups, food pantries, or organizations that support families affected by detention can provide direct, meaningful help. Even just reporting ICE sightings to digital trackers helps others stay informed.

"It's about what lever matches your risk tolerance," says digital safety expert Matt Mitchell. "Not everyone has the same privileges," but everyone can find a way to contribute to community safety and dignity.