Americans Are Strapping Passports to Their Heads Over Fears of ICE

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Newsweek

Published Jan 26, 2026 at 12:22 PM EST updated Jan 26, 2026 at 12:54 PM EST


Americans are sharing videos on social media with their passports strapped to their heads in response to growing concerns over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.

In viral videos, social media creators have said they are wearing the documents this way to ensure they have proof of American citizenship before they are asked for it, with one TikTok creator saying in a video: "You cannot be too careful, you gotta move with purpose now."

A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson said in an email shared with Newsweek: "REAL IDs are not immigration documents—they make identification harder to forge, thwarting criminals and terrorists. REAL ID can confirm identity but does not confirm legal status. The INA [Immigration and Nationality Act] requires aliens and non-citizens in the U.S. to carry immigration documents."

Why It Matters

The trend began in December, but more videos have been shared online amid an intensified national focus on federal immigration operations in Minneapolis following the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens—Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, by Border Patrol, and Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, by ICE—in less than three weeks.

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/americans-wear-passports-on-heads-ice-fears-viral-videos-11418189

[ret5hd]

1. fuck em...just tattoo your ssn to your forehead.

[ClaudetteCC]

9. How would they be able to determine an SSN from an ITIN?

[popsdenver]

12. Anyone recall in 2016

When Trump was first installed by Putin, that the FBI raided a resort/golf course of his in NY? Golf course? Bedminster?????
The FBI discovered boxes and boxes of Pre-numbered....Blank Social Security Cards that were real, and a small printing press to realistically print people's names on them, exactly like the Government issued ones......?

I was, at the time, expecting a full investigation, as well as Raids at ALL of his other Hotels, Golf Courses, and Resorts.
Mysteriously, nothing further was said or done by the FBI, SSI, or DOJ..........

As much as Trump liked Hitler, I suspect that in the future there will be NO document, including Birth Certificates, or passports that will suffice for Identification, and numbers will be tattooed on our arms............

[AllyCat]

2. And they all have chips in them.

[underpants]

3. I hate to say it but I regret not getting the card too

The lady at the post office asked why I wanted one when we were getting my daughter’s. I didn’t want to admit it.

This is crazy.

[BumRushDaShow]

4. When I last renewed my passport

I got a passport card along with it (which was discounted when done with the passport renewal). I do carry it as it works as a "Real ID" too (my DL is now a Real ID but didn't get that version until after the passport renew, when it finally became available here in PA).

But see, these ICE goons could declare it a "fake", which they have apparently done to some of the people they rounded up (and eventually had to release them).

[fujiyamasan]

5. Yes, most of these ICE/BP agents are thugs

It was never about citizenship or immigration enforcement.

It’s about state sanctioned harassment and intimidation of anyone with a shade of melanin or an accent. But once they saw that a lot of white people wouldn’t sit back and become sitting ducks, they became the target too. Like any authoritarian regime, it’s not just about going after specific groups of people, it’s about going after anyone questioning their power, legitimacy and actions.

The people of Minneapolis showed the very best of this country. A lot of cities would have sat back in apathy or worse yet, allowed it happen without a protest.

[BumRushDaShow]

7. Yup

They recognized an authoritarian right away.

[popsdenver]

13. True

it is about Government Domestic Terrorism of it's people..........one of the strategies and tactics of a military state called a Tyranny or Dictatorship, or to use a less abrasive word......"Authoritarian"....

[ClaudetteCC]

10. I wish I would have gotten mine along with the passport also.

Can they be used at the airport for domestic flights?

[fujiyamasan]

14. Here's the state dept info

U.S. Passports and REAL ID

The REAL ID Act requires IDs issued by a state to meet federal security standards. You must be REAL ID compliant to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities. The U.S. passport book and passport card are both REAL ID compliant.

You can check to see if your current driver’s license or state ID meets REAL ID standards. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) accepts several photo IDs when boarding domestic flights.

If you don't have REAL ID, check with your state on how to apply for one or consider applying for a U.S. passport book or card.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/passports/passports-realid.html

About the Passport Card

The U.S. passport card is a wallet-sized, plastic passport that has no visa pages. The card has the same length of validity as the passport book. The card is valid for land and sea travel between Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. The card is a cheaper alternative to the book. While you cannot use the passport card for international air travel, it is valid for domestic air travel as REAL ID.

[ClaudetteCC]

15. thanks!

I have the passport but don't always carry it for domestic travel. Good info to know!

[AverageOldGuy]

6. I'll strap my goddam .40 cal SigSauer on my hip . . .

. . . before I carry anything but my state driver's license, my retired military ID, and my debit card. And pics of my wife, children, and grandchildren.

[riversedge]

8. well, whatever works.

[Figarosmom]

11. You can't get a Real ID without your birth

Certificate, so how does that NOT prove you are a citizen?

[IronLionZion]

16. It won't help. ICE doesn't care

It's not about documents or citizenship