How to Film ICE | WIRED - Discover Hidden USA

In January 2026, two Americans were killed while observing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Minneapolis. Renee Nicole Good was acting as a legal observer, with her wife recording the federal agents. Alex Pretti was filming the agents with his phone when he was fatally shot. Despite the danger, video evidence—captured by those present—documented these deaths and is now being used to hold federal agents accountable.

The Paradox of Observation

This situation highlights a troubling paradox for United States residents: how to resist and document ICE’s actions in American cities, knowing that the very act of recording could put them at risk. Trevor Timm, cofounder and executive director of Freedom of the Press Foundation, stated, “Unfortunately, there is no way to film ‘safely’ right now.” He believes anyone documenting ICE may be taking a risk due to what he describes as the agency’s “aggressive and brazen and outright illegal” conduct.

Did You Know? Alex Pretti’s death was documented from multiple angles because other individuals were also recording the incident, providing crucial evidence that contradicted initial claims.

A Long-Standing Tension

The tension between documenting authority and potential repercussions has existed for over two decades, fueled by the widespread availability of smartphones. Video documentation and livestreaming have become pivotal tools for activists and concerned citizens seeking to expose injustice and influence political discourse. However, in the US, individuals recording federal agents are increasingly being targeted, despite First Amendment protections for recording government operations in public spaces.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials have attempted to discredit this understanding. In July, DHS secretary Kristi Noem referred to documenting federal agents as “violence,” claiming it amounted to “doxing” them. A DHS spokesperson, Tricia McLaughlin, stated that “videoing our officers in an effort to dox them and reveal their identities…is a federal crime and a felony.” DHS maintains this position even though, according to their own definition, ICE agents are themselves engaging in “doxing.”

Expert Insight: The rhetoric employed by DHS officials creates a direct threat to anyone documenting ICE agents, including legal observers, activists, and reporters, even when they are acting legally and following police orders. This chilling effect raises serious concerns about the ability to hold government agencies accountable.

Increasing Risks to Documenters

Jackie Zammuto, associate director at Witness, a nonprofit using video to fight human rights violations, emphasizes the increasing risk faced by documenters. “Video documentation has the power to expose abuses…and to challenge official narratives,” she says. “At the same time, we’re absolutely seeing an increase of documenters being targeted.” Zammuto notes that while there are ways to increase safety while recording authority figures, individuals must carefully weigh the risks involved.

Protecting Yourself While Recording

Before filming ICE or Customs and Border Protection agents, or any event at a protest, using a burner phone can help protect privacy. However, achieving complete anonymity is difficult, as immigration officials have invested in extensive surveillance capabilities. These include purchasing online advertising data, deploying surveillance drones, utilizing license plate reader networks, and monitoring mobile phones across entire neighborhoods.

If using a personal device, disabling biometrics—Face ID and fingerprint unlocking—and securing it with a password or PIN is recommended. Officials require a warrant to demand a PIN or passcode, while biometric unlocking can be compelled more easily.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti?

Renee Nicole Good was acting as a legal observer while her wife recorded ICE agents. Alex Pretti was filming ICE agents when he was killed. Both were killed in January 2026 while observing ICE operations in Minneapolis.

What is the DHS’s position on recording federal agents?

The DHS claims that videoing agents with the intent to reveal their identities is a federal crime and a felony, referring to it as “doxing.”

What steps can individuals take to protect themselves while recording ICE agents?

Using a burner phone and disabling biometric security features on personal devices are suggested steps to increase safety, though complete anonymity is difficult to achieve.

Given the increasing risks and the potential for misrepresentation, how do you believe citizens can responsibly balance the need for transparency with personal safety when documenting the actions of federal agents?