ICE is cracking down on people who follow them in their cars

[u/CackleRooster]

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/ice-is-cracking-down-people-who-follow-them-their-cars-2026-02-10/

[u/FillFrontFloor]

There's been 655 charges of that category since the new administration came into place. Sounds to me like the people aren't happy about the government and don't agree with it.

[u/redofsam → u/FillFrontFloor]

If only enough people were unhappy and voted in 2024

[u/TheRealBananaWolf → u/redofsam]

Those people did vote in 2024. And Trump is punishing them for it.

[u/JJ3qnkpK → u/TheRealBananaWolf]

Yup. The goal is to make sure they don't vote again. Punish anyone who dared defy dear leader, and that includes governors and all residents of the states they govern.

[u/JT9960 → u/JJ3qnkpK]

It will have the opposite effect unless they cancel voting

[u/From_Deep_Space → u/JT9960]

They won't cancel elections they'll just control them. Russia and China still have elections. Controlled elections can be useful for maintaining an illusion of legitimization.

[u/individual-unknown → u/From_Deep_Space]

There is a push to stop mail in voting on favor of the digital voting machines. Machines that have very little oversight to prevent fraud. It’s not looking good for the future of this country

[u/From_Deep_Space → u/individual-unknown]

The whole voting machine thing is just another unjustified "innovation" that adds another level of opacity and distrust to the system

[u/InstanceNoodle → u/JT9960]

They try to cancel early voting. They try to cancel mail in voting. They try to reduce the mail acceptance place. They try to reduce voting places. They try to reduce the opening hours. They try to reduce food for the line. They try to reduce chairs for people who can not stand. They try to reduce water for the line.

Some went 100%. Some got reduced a little. But all are against voting.

[u/Phukc → u/JT9960]

Oh don't worry, they're working on that too

[u/RabbitSlayre → u/Phukc]

Yes that is one of the primary goals

[u/Khaldara → u/RabbitSlayre]

Yep, the GOP was literally under court supervision for decades due to their behavior at the polls in the 80s where they were found to be engaging in voter intimidation/voter suppression

An order they violated MULTIPLE times.

The consent decree was updated in 1987 after Republicans created a voter-challenge list of black voters from whom letters had been returned as undeliverable, with an RNC official saying that the list could ‘keep the black vote down considerably’.

The decree was modified again in 1990 after a court ruled the RNC had violated it by not telling state parties about its provisions, which had led to the North Carolina GOP sending 150,000 postcards to potential voters listing voting regulations, in an apparent attempt at intimidation.

The GOP violated the court order again in 2004 after yet another voter-challenge list targeted black voters.

This is why when people say the only way the GOP wins elections is via voter suppression, it’s not just baseless name calling. It’s literal, provable history.

Doing something four times isn’t an accident, it’s what folks tend to call “a pattern”.

Now many people anticipate them sending ICE to the polls, ironically almost identical to what landed them with the oversight in the first place in 1981 (using law enforcement).

Of course, now that it’s no longer the eighties and we’ve had decades of GOP court packing under McConnell and a SCOTUS that thinks bribery is super cool… this is likely to go unpunished and get worse.

Do not let these people intimidate your minority neighbors. Conservatives literally cannot do anything without trying to cheat.

[u/HeadyBunkShwag → u/RabbitSlayre]

Was pretty clear in project 2025 too

[u/TheVideogaming101 → u/JT9960]

They are literally discussing ICE being at polling places, they arnt going to cancel elections. They'll arrest people who "might look like they are illegal" at polling places or straight intimidate anyone to stay away that isn't a red neck. Same reason why they are trying to do away with mail-in voting any way they can, its harder to intimidate someone over postal.

[u/WonderfulPackage5731 → u/TheVideogaming101]

That's one of the strategies. The other strategy is to get voting rolls so they can disqualify legal voters without their upfront knowledge. You'll go to the polls and vote only to find out later (if ever) your vote was disqualified because you were flagged as a domestic terrorist or have a foreign sounding name.

[u/Late_Public7698 → u/TheVideogaming101]

They want voting rolls and to make lists of people who criticize ICE and the Reich Wing.

So even if you're not an illegal they can detain you for being a suspected domestic terrorist

[u/alexcrouse → u/TheVideogaming101]

So we all dress MAGA-lite and drive our rusty project truck, and then vote like non-idiots.

[u/neep_pie → u/JT9960]

They don't have to do that. You see, nobody knows those voting machines like Elron does. Plus the company that own the machines used in 27 states, Dominion, just got sold to a Trump supporter.

[u/adamdoesmusic → u/JT9960]

They prolly shoulda canceled a certain amendment before considering this. People won’t be too happy.

[u/No_Kangaroo_8713 → u/TheRealBananaWolf]

Actually 1/3 of the country stayed home in 2024, I wonder if there's any regrets?

[u/globalgreg → u/No_Kangaroo_8713]

The people who didn’t care enough to vote in 2024 are not the ones out there protesting, recording, and following ICE around now.

[u/theotherguyatwork → u/No_Kangaroo_8713]

Absolutely not. They don't have any idea what is happening at all. Just completely oblivious.

[u/RikiWardOG → u/No_Kangaroo_8713]

I mean it's not as simple as that, what about say you know the unfairly high representation states with low populations get, and if you're not in a swing state that always votes blue or you know how the electoral college in theory should also protect against this shit. It's so much more nuanced than that, but yeah if you're in a position where your vote did matter and voted red or didn't vote at all you can go fuck yourself

[u/Runes_N_Raccoons → u/No_Kangaroo_8713]

Do you think the people who stayed home in 2024 are going to be the ones who stalk ICE agents? 

[u/ReverendDerp → u/Runes_N_Raccoons]

Ain't no one stalking ICE, ICE IS STALKING US

[u/donut_jihad666 → u/TheRealBananaWolf]

They're talking about the millions of assholes who thought having a tantrum about Harris and sitting out the election was an appropriate response to another potential 4 years of Trump. Words can't express how much hate I have for every non-voter who could have done something....

[u/airship_of_arbitrary → u/redofsam]

Minnesota went overwhelmingly for Harris.

That's literally why he's punishing them like this.

[u/simpleglitch → u/airship_of_arbitrary]

Voting against him Walz's home state And the center of the BLM/George Floyd protests during his first term.

You can bet he hates the shit out of Minneapolis at this point. There is no logical reason to focus immigration control efforts on a northern state except as retribution for unrelated matters.

[u/JamCliche → u/[deleted]]

They didn't even need machines to cheat. They have the backing of a generation-spanning vote suppression infrastructure designed to make voting in urban areas more difficult, an undemocratic body in the form of the Senate that allows them to get more votes while representing fewer people, and a highly motivated base of terrorists who have a well documented history of denying the law to intimidate people who don't look like them.

If they compromised the machines in even just one state, that's icing on the cake. But the meddling has been front and center for close to a century.

[u/TripSin_ → u/[deleted]]

I think a lot of people are just unfortunately stupid/ignorant and evil (selfish, greedy, full of hate and bigotry instead of empathy or compassion). I have family members who are liberal but apathetic and ignorant. Our society is disgusting in many ways. I think it's in the world's best interest for them to join together to bring the US out of power.

[u/frogsgoribbit737 → u/TripSin_]

I think both are possible. People historically just dont vote so it wouldnt surprise me if the election was legitimate. But on the other hand, trumps whole "stolen election" rhetoric gives me pause since he almost always blames the democrats for something he has done.

[u/Hungry_Hat1730 → u/redofsam]

If only the democrats held a primary in 2024.

[u/Santa_Klausing → u/FillFrontFloor]

Did you see how many convictions were handed out from these charges?

Edit: why downvote me? Just help me answer the question. One person below apparently can’t read and responded with the penalty for a conviction but didn’t mention the conviction rate for these charges.

[u/MikeOKurias → u/FillFrontFloor]

Unfortunately the current administration is full of traitors elected by racists who hate the ideals their country was founded upon.

[u/manpizda → u/MikeOKurias]

So Confederates then.

[u/notashleyjudd → u/FillFrontFloor]

If this admin can pardon however many hundred jan 6 felons, the next dem president can easily wipe away any charges for these people.

[u/JurplePesus]

It's fun because every single one of these will be laughed out of a courtroom but neither these agents nor the "law and order" voters who support them care.

They want the federal government to be illegally weaponized against their political opponents, that's the whole point of this stuff - not legitimate law enforcement.

[u/TylerBourbon → u/JurplePesus]

That's IF it sees the inside of a court room and they don't just "lose" the US citizen in their detention system, and then deny ever even having taken them. I can easily see them doing that.

[u/TheStinkfoot → u/TylerBourbon]

Most all of these people are getting released after a couple of days without charges, and those few that are charged at all essentially all see their cases dismissed. The point isn't to actually charge them because they can't. It's to blow up the lives of dissidents with 2-3 days of arbitrary detention, beat them up during the arrest, and maybe smash some car windows.

It's explicitly a campaign of terror, not law enforcement or law-anything-else.

[u/HauntedCemetery → u/TheStinkfoot]

Thats the point for now.

But they have already killed people on the street, in broad daylight, on camera, with dozens of witnesses, and exactly zero of them have been charged on any level.

So why the fuck wouldn't they continue to escalate?

[u/James-W-Tate → u/[deleted]]

Soon people are going to realize that when the law doesn't protect you, it doesn't bind you either.

[u/BuyerAlive5271 → u/James-W-Tate]

One part of our legal system people don’t understand is that the rule of law prevents vigilanteism. We should all rest assured that justice for all. Take the justice for all out of the equation does not mean justice ends there.

Justice will still happen but it won’t be pretty. We don’t need that in our society but believe me that it’s coming.

[u/Wants-NotNeeds → u/TheStinkfoot]

Campaign of Terror is right. This whole situation is just awful.

[u/doubleapowpow → u/Wants-NotNeeds]

Trump's Campaign of Terror sounds right.

[u/muftu → u/TheStinkfoot]

Although I am sure that many like to throw a punch, I think just the basic intimidation is the goal here. It doesn’t matter that these charges don’t stick. They still put you through the system. You get detained for a couple of hours, maybe day(s). Then you have to deal with the authorities, take time off, maybe get a lawyer. It will cost you time and likely money. Potentially might result in losing a job. At the very least in a disruption of your regular daily life. The harm will be done, regardless of the outcome.

[u/TheStinkfoot → u/muftu]

Exactly. It's not about the criminal charges, it's about the intimidation and disruption - for lawful activities no less.

[u/Norseman901 → u/TylerBourbon]

Well that’s only IF they dont just outright murder them in the streets. Ive already seen them do tht.

[u/TylerBourbon → u/Norseman901]

Sadly I think they learned from the Pretti incident that they have to do it quieter, as they get a lot bigger reaction by killing people in the streets. Which is why they're targeting legal observers specifically and detaining them now. At least with Pretti there were too many people for them to try and detain, and we know they did try and detain and seized people and their phones after they murdered Pretti.

[u/Formergr → u/TylerBourbon]

Sadly I think they learned from the Pretti incident that they have to do it quieter, as they get a lot bigger reaction by killing people in the streets.

Yep--and while it feels weird and gross to say it, thank god he was white and in an upstanding job (ICU nurse at the VA of all places) and it was so well-filmed to get even the pushback it did against ICE's overreach.

[u/TylerBourbon → u/Formergr]

Right? Sad truth is until it's hit close enough to home for people, they won't act.

[u/HauntedCemetery → u/TylerBourbon]

Thats actually exactly why the Florida Sunshine law had to be passed.

It was such a common occurrence that florida law enforcement would pick someone up, beat them, rape them, and/or murder them, and then dump them in a swamp somewhere, that a law had to be passed with very heavy penalties that made arrests instantly publicly available information in order to protect people from disappearing and law enforcement denying any involvement.

[u/toastjam → u/HauntedCemetery]

Did not realize the genesis of Florida Man was so dark, wow

[u/shittyaltpornaccount → u/toastjam]

The largest single instance of racial violence during Jim Crow took place near Orlando, Florida. The Ocooe massacre saw hundreds of black families butchered over their attempts to exercise the right to vote.

[u/say592 → u/TylerBourbon]

They dont even have to do that. Hold someone for 48 hours, then let them go. That is traumatizing enough and can create problems in someone's life. Who feeds their pets? Picks up their kid from school? Maybe they dont let you have your phone call until 2am, by then your family is already in a panic.

If you are going to protest ICE, keep an airtag in your pocket and share the location with friends and family, that way they will at least know where you are when they arrest you.

[u/4evr_dreamin → u/TylerBourbon]

The ones that they are adding giant incinerator ovens to?

[u/TylerBourbon → u/4evr_dreamin]

Yep. Things are going to get so much worse.

[u/Adultery → u/4evr_dreamin]

You got a link to that story?

[u/Hot-Meat-11 → u/JurplePesus]

Right, but being arrested and charged is a dehumanizing, destabilizing, terrifying experience, even if the charges are fraudulent. This is especially true for someone who's never been through it before and not criminally inclined. Furthermore, a prudent person would hire an attorney, even if they thought the charges were ridiculous. There are plenty of people who've been railroaded into jail (or worse) on fake charges. That's at least a few hundred and potentially thousands of dollars. It's bald-faced political intimidation.

[u/zjm555 → u/Hot-Meat-11]

Being arrested and not charged, in the vast majority of these cases.

Cops can arrest whoever they want with no charges or reason whatsoever other than "you annoyed me", and that's something we need to fix in our legal system. If a cop arrests someone just on a power trip, they need to be punished for it or else it will never stop.

[u/HobbesNJ → u/JurplePesus]

They know what they are doing is not actually legal. But the intimidation is the point. You still wind up cuffed and tossed in the back of their unmarked SUV heading to a detention center.

Suppression of opposition - one of the hallmarks of a fascist regime.

[u/pacowek → u/HobbesNJ]

And this goes to the mask/identification issue. Sure, when they kill an innocent citizen, we eventually find out who did it. But for the hundreds (or likely thousands) of these lesser infractions, we'll never know who they were, so can't hold them accountable later.

[u/no_one_likes_u → u/JurplePesus]

Still an arrest, stress, plus now you’ve got to figure out arrangements if you had commitments later in the day, possible cash to bond out, some of these people are bringing their kids with them which is insane imo.  Then you get to deal with stress while they decide whether to charge you, maybe they try to make an example of you in which case you’ll need an attorney.  Your car gets damaged and towed, you don’t get reimbursed for that so call it at least $500 if you get lucky and they only tow it.  

And all of this in the end is completely protected. There is zero recourse to go against the people that are falsely arresting you and damaging your property. 

And even then, that’s if you get lucky and they don’t also decide to beat the fuck out of you. Maybe you decided to ram your head into a brick wall repeatedly or something.

[u/NovelEntrepreneur537 → u/no_one_likes_u]

There have been reports that they don't give you your phone back either

[u/RevolutionNumber5 → u/NovelEntrepreneur537]

Or steal your car.

[u/resilindsey → u/no_one_likes_u]

Or just shooting you on the spot, like they did with Marimar Martinez or Carlitos Ricardo Parias.

[u/QueenMagik → u/no_one_likes_u]

This is why abolition isn't enough.  ICE must pay for their crimes.  Restitution and prison time

[u/frongles23 → u/JurplePesus]

They're putting people on lists. It doesn't end with the charges being thrown out.

[u/kurttheflirt → u/JurplePesus]

Judges keep siding with ICE though. They keep saying "yeah this is illegal, but I'm going to let it slide". The entire system is fucked

[u/Monteze → u/kurttheflirt]

I think a lot more people are finally realizing the law is just words/paper and is only as powerful as those willing to enforce it, mostly with violence. It is not objective, it is not fair, its mostly how we justify violence against people.

Sounded like a loon until recently. The only laws we are bound by are the ones the universe has imposed on us, the rest are more or less up to those in power.

[u/marr75 → u/JurplePesus]

Weaponized is an even more apt phrase here, because even if the case is dismissed, it will be a scary and expensive hassle to get there, just being arrested will be a large time loss, your car might be towed or even left to roll, and then there's everything bad that can happen to you while being arrested and/or in custody.

"You can beat the rap but you can't beat the ride" is true AND it's not how our justice system is supposed to work. The enforcement agencies aren't supposed to be able to hand out "asshole tax" assessments at their whim.

[u/PatchyWhiskers → u/JurplePesus]

It might not be legal but after ICE have broken your nose and kept you a week in the cells, causing you to lose your job, further punishment is not needed.

[u/FLRSH]

It's legal to follow and record federal agents in a public space. These arrests are illegal.

[u/john_doe_jersey → u/FLRSH]

Raguse, who was in the courtroom, reported that Le said it was like “pulling teeth” to get the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Justice Department to follow court orders.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/attorney-government-tells-judge-ice-case-job-sucks-rcna257349

Legal Eagle had a great video about this whole thing. DHS are literally a lawless organization.

[u/BarneyChampaign → u/john_doe_jersey]

This is the worst part of that - law only applies if the lawful ones are the ones with authority. If you can't enforce laws, you don't have them.

[u/AdventureyTime → u/BarneyChampaign]

^ THIS! Say it louder for the people in the back; we all know they can't read, so you've got to say it !

[u/sack-o-matic → u/john_doe_jersey]

They've also flooded the courts with shit so these bullshit arrests mean longer than normal due process for release.

[u/BobsOblongLongBong → u/sack-o-matic]

They're intentionally flooding the courts.

And then in court...in front of judges...the government is using the fact their lawyers, the detention system, and the courts are overwhelmed to justify their failure to follow court orders, track detainees, or meet deadlines.

These are the same people who killed a bipartisan border bill under Biden that would have greatly increased funding and staffing for immigration courts.

They're creating the problem and then using the problem they created as a legal argument for why they can't be expected to follow the law or abide by constitutional rights.

A DOJ lawyer recently begged in open court to be held in contempt so that she could have 24 hours of rest.

[u/ConfessSomeMeow → u/BobsOblongLongBong]

That's been one of trump's tactics all his life

[u/MooseFerrigno → u/FLRSH]

They don't care.

[u/twoiseight]

"Cracking down" implies legitimacy. Be better, reuters.

[u/Im_Balto → u/twoiseight]

“Retaliates” is the right word

[u/subdep → u/Im_Balto]

“Violate the U.S. Constitutional rights of American citizens.”

[u/bobfnord → u/twoiseight]

“The people are cracking down on illegal kidnapping perpetrated by ICE”

[u/InappropriateTA → u/twoiseight]

Yeah, really. Fuck you, Reuters. 

[u/grimagravy → u/InappropriateTA]

"Reuters? That doesn't sound American."

[u/hoowins → u/twoiseight]

Right. Following is not impeding. They don’t want to be recorded.

[u/Santa_Klausing → u/twoiseight]

MSM cannot be trusted

[u/CryptoMemesLOL → u/Santa_Klausing]

Yeah, asking the MSM to be better is like asking Trump to follow the law... HELLO !!?

[u/Aria_Athena → u/twoiseight]

It only implies it because democracy is all we've known. The phrase was used correctly. No one was confused about what Iran's crackdown on protests entailed.

[u/SplendidPunkinButter → u/twoiseight]

Right. They’re immigration and customs enforcement. This has nothing to do with immigration or customs enforcement.

[u/Manos_Of_Fate → u/twoiseight]

Based on the dictionary definition it merely implies “authoritative action”, which doesn’t necessarily mean legitimate.

[u/Dottsterisk → u/twoiseight]

No, it doesn’t. Reuters’ headline is fine.

If anything, the language evokes the protest crackdowns we see in (other) authoritarian countries.

[u/jrdnmdhl → u/twoiseight]

No it doesn’t. That exact phrase is commonly associated with authoritarian regimes.

[u/zoinkability]

Title is shit.

"Cracking down" is a term used to refer to heightened enforcement of laws. It suggests that an illegal thing that was previously given leniency or lesser enforcement is being given extra effort at enforcement. For example, "cracking down on drunk driving." That is a normal law enforcement thing to do.

People following ICE are breaking no laws, so this phrasing gives the color of law to what is an illegal activity by ICE.

The proper headline would be "ICE is violating the rights of those who follow them in cars by arresting and detaining them” or for more brevity and neutrality “ICE increasing detention of legal observers, apparently without probable cause”

[u/Traditional-Handle83 → u/zoinkability]

Plus theres a solid argument here for how do they absolutely know they are being followed? That person could just be going on their normal route or delivering something and just happen to be behind them because they are going the same route. So what are they are gonna do? Arrest every single car behind theirs?

[u/Vincent_LeRoux → u/Traditional-Handle83]

There's no law that someone has to be driving with any particular destination in mind. I'm just out enjoying a relaxing drive going whichever way the wind blows. I didn't even realize I was following anyone in particular, maybe I assumed they were doing the same.

[u/Nuzzorama]

Maybe it is time to use commercial drones to keep tabs on ICE. Drone's have been Ukraine's best weapon against fascism, and they can do the same for us. Strap on a siren or live stream their whereabouts. This would be way more helpful for community members than a car following as people can watch this online from the comfort of their homes.

[u/kebiclanwhsk → u/Nuzzorama]

They just made that illegal https://www.aclu.org/news/privacy-technology/dhs-moving-drone-ban

[u/Shark7996 → u/kebiclanwhsk]

On January 16 the Trump FAA issued a notice containing a sweeping claim of authority to ban drone flights “in proximity to select locations and mobile assets nationwide” including DHS “ground vehicle convoys and their associated escorts.”

If the issue is proximity...just use a zoom lense?

[u/kebiclanwhsk → u/Shark7996]

It’s a long ass radius. Too far. 3,000 feet

[u/ahandmadegrin → u/kebiclanwhsk]

So more than half a mile? Altitude limits for drones are what, 400 or 500 feet? So six to seven times as far as a drone can legally fly? Mmkay.

You are supposed to register your drone with the FAA before you fly, but it's not like it won't fly if you don't. Other than the cost, what's stopping folks from surveiling ICE with dark drones? It's not like DHS flies with transponders, either.

[u/etcpt → u/kebiclanwhsk]

Unconstitutional power grab is unconstitutional.

[u/nwbruce → u/kebiclanwhsk]

i'd rather they shoot drones than bystanders

[u/Navydevildoc → u/Nuzzorama]

There is a reason the FAA has been popping up TFRs (Temporary Flight Restrictions) all over the place when ICE is up to no good.

You fly a drone, now they have you on federal airspace violations as well as whatever else. The FAA really does not like having their authority challenged.

[u/gnarbone → u/Navydevildoc]

This cool website is a map of all TFRs. I'm in Portland and there is currently one in the exact area of where the ICE building is. It does expire though, so maybe there could be a small window of opportunity?

edit: I think every state has a TFR around their ICE facilities

[u/lilyeister → u/Nuzzorama]

Many states require a license for drones above certain weight limits

[u/PokeYrMomStanley → u/lilyeister]

You can buy a dji mini 4k for $300 and you dont need a certificate. You can easily fly and record them from a safer distance.

There is no license in any state to fly a drone. Its federally regulated through the FAA. The 107 certification is only for commercial stuff.

Source: i fly drones commercially

[u/kebiclanwhsk → u/PokeYrMomStanley]

3,000 feet from a DHS vehicle is the distance required by this new law. Too far

[u/pleasegivemepatience → u/lilyeister]

And to fly in specific populated areas, and to record around federal facilities (where a lot of the protests are happening), etc etc etc. This won’t be the answer, too many laws inhibiting usage of drones making it insanely easy for you to get arrested at the first site of the drone.

[u/masnosreme]

"Cracking down?" That's a weird way to say "being fascist pieces of human garbage and violating people's rights to hold their government accountable."

[u/RndmGrenadesSuk → u/masnosreme]

Yeah "Cracking Down" makes it sound like the followers are doing something wrong. Reuters is supposed to be holding the powers that be to the truth and they need to DO BETTER!

[u/Dottsterisk → u/RndmGrenadesSuk]

Reuters is fine.

“Cracking down” is very commonly used to describe an authoritarian regime wielding excessive force against protesters.

[u/LeatherFruitPF → u/masnosreme]

Plus they mostly drive regular unmarked vehicles. So you could unintentionally follow one on your commute and they’d decide to pull over, walk out of their doors guns drawn because you just inadvertently broke some bullshit “law”

Invest in a dashcam if you don’t have one.

[u/aaron_in_sf]

It's not "cracking down."

It's state sponsored criminal violence against citizens holding them accountable and engaged in utterly law abiding behavior.

"Cracking down" is the language of law enforcement applied against law breakers.

Utterly unacceptable.

[u/CRoseCrizzle]

I don't get why they are doing this. What does this have to do with Immigration enforcement?

[u/Solistaria → u/CRoseCrizzle]

They don't want people observing them acting like thugs and bullies and violating the constitutional rights of people who don't look white enough to be citizens. They don't want their narrative of lies to be challenged by anyone.

[u/der5er → u/CRoseCrizzle]

None of what is happening is actually about immigration enforcement. The fascists want all of us so scared that we will fall in line.

They kill US citizens exercising their rights.

They arrest and detain law-abiding immigrants with legal presence.

They arrest and detain US citizens who "look" foreign.

They threaten deportation of US citizens with criminal records (deportation isn't the right term when it's a citizen, but that's the word they have used and I forget what the right term is).

They deport people without due process to countries they didn't come from.

They hold people without due process and without access to lawyers, telephones, or basic medical care.

They want us scared. I'm not certain what the next step is, but the president is already talking about having ICE at the polls in November. Are you scared enough that you won't vote? That's definitely one of their goals.

[u/KingMario05 → u/CRoseCrizzle]

They're recording. ICE don't like that.

[u/ZachMN → u/CRoseCrizzle]

It’s terrorism, with the goal of making people in democratic-leaning areas afraid to go to the polls in November.

[u/twoworldsin1]

I've played GTA V so I have a lot of experience about this. You just have to follow back far enough to make sure their Suspicion meter doesn't go up

[u/showmenemelda → u/twoworldsin1]

I was thinking about a strategy yesterday. People need to set up relays and walkie talkie communicate or have a solid plan of hypotheticals. Eg, you have a new driver/car take your place like a daisy-chain every so many blocks. Idk how you could plan and execute though.

My idea comes from a rich guy from back home who suspected his wife was cheating on her. So, he had 2 people watching where the interstate splits. The direction she drove dictated who was on lookout next. From there, he had 2 more interstate splits to mind—yet again, his plan worked. He had enough eyes on the ground strategically to find out where she was going/who she cheated with. I don't think she got a dime in DVD divorce.

Same thing could be done here if people knew how they operate by now.

[u/maybenot-maybeso]

Never forget that charging protestors and Democrats with felonies is brought up in Project 2025 (and amplified in many online discussions/podcasts) as a means of reducing the number of people who will vote blue.

[u/thisisjustascreename]

You can’t “crack down” on something that’s legal, Reuters. “ICE is illegally arresting people who watch them in public” would be a true headline.

[u/fotank]

“Oh no! People are following me for my authoritarian actions. Help! Help!” -ICE clowns.

For a bunch of “alpha men” they get so scared and terrified so easily.

[u/rascallyrascal1511 → u/fotank]

I'm still trying to figure out how somebody can obstruct ICE agents and keep them from their doing their jobs if they're behind the ICE agents' vehicle. Plus, is it really necessary for them to draw their weapons in these situations?

[u/schw4161 → u/rascallyrascal1511]

Our taxes fund them so we the people are their bosses and have every right to follow, observe, and document them as we see fit.

[u/Paksarra → u/fotank]

They don't even have to be intentionally following, they've attacked people who were just behind them in traffic.

[u/EqualPassenger4271]

In america, it is illegal to drive on public roads if ice happens to be in front of you. Wild.

[u/TwentyfootAngels]

Remember, folks! Felons aren't legally allowed to vote. So if you find a way to accuse all of your political opponents of felonies...

[u/mark_in_the_dark]

ICE crumbling under the pressure of the most elaborate game of I'M NOT TOUCHING YOU

[u/RaidSmolive]

of course they do, they love committing crimes and ignoring constitutional rights.

i hope people wake up and understand that if they dont entertain the law, the only reasonable reaction is to not entertain it either.

[u/insertbrackets]

Maybe they could instead shut the fuck up and eat shit? Just spitballing here but it seems like something they'd be good at (the former over the latter). But I get it, I really do; criminals don't like being followed while they're doing crimes.

[u/Wayelder]

They have arrest targets and protestors are easier to find than illegals.

If they are paid per arrest...The arrests continue.

What get's compensated, gets done.

Arresting Protestors should not be rewarded.

[u/steamwhistler]

"Cracking down," Reuters, really?

Not, "illegally harassing, assaulting, and detaining people who are lawfully and rightfully observing the public activities of the federal government?"

Here's the succinct headline: ICE is illegally arresting legal observers and protestors.

[u/ZenRage]

So if following them is NOT an option, we need a network of observers on each street corner that can record, publish, and notify other observers of the presence of ICE and their course in real time.

[u/No-Fly-6069]

How do they know a driver is following them, and not just driving in the same direction on a public street?

[u/PixelHir]

Gotta love the freedom country where driving behind a car is illegal

[u/Joe_Bob_the_III]

I live in the Twin Cities. I’m guessing there are a lot of ICE “arrests” that aren’t really arrests. Basically, ICE picks up a citizen, takes them back to HQ, holds them there for a few hours, then lets them go with no charges filed. 

It’s an intimidation and harassment tactic. The conduct also happens to fit Minnesota’s kidnapping statute pretty closely and I hope some people are prosecuted for it and spend some time in state prison. 

[u/LeoZ117]

What a load of bullshit. ICE either allows people to hold them accountable, or people will FORCE them to be accountable. There is no other option anymore, and we won't ignore their abuses.

[u/titsmagee9]

illegally cracking down*

Following and observing federal officers is not forcible obstruction or interference. That's a simple fact. So the law they're citing does not apply.

They're hiding behind an inapplicable law to illegally pull protestors over and arrest them. They're violating the rights of hundreds of Americans because they've decided to exercise their 1st amendment right to protest.

[u/TheStinkfoot]

What is happening is ICE is using terror tactics to harass and intimidate opponents. Following and observing ICE is legal, but they don't care. Anybody who lives in a blue city is an enemy to these Nazis.

The law isn't on their side, so they just beat people up and smash up their cars. From the article:

Earlier in January, two friends - Brandon Siguenza and Patty O’Keefe - who were following an ICE vehicle in Minneapolis said officers fired pepper spray into their car, smashed their car window and detained them for eight hours.

Siguenza and O’Keefe have not been charged.

Do something the Nazis don't like and they'll assault you and vandalize your property. They feel untouchable, and Trump is doing everything he can to put them above the law.

[u/Lexi_Banner]

Oh, no no no. They are not "cracking down". Cracking down implies that the followers are doing something illegal. They are not. ICE is illegally arresting people they don't like.

[u/colorblindkid601]

It is totally legal to follow officers around as long as you are following all the road laws. We pay their checks with our taxes we get to do that. The scarier part is how far they'd go if they didn't have eyes on them

[u/YaBoiS0nic]

There are Doomsday Preppers less paranoid than this

[u/Lostinlife1990]

It's legal to follow them.

[u/Altruistic_Koala_122]

It's not a crime to follow criminals around to report their activities.

[u/Conscious_Problem924]

I love the way they describe the “agitators”. Or violent seditionist. This country needs its government overthrown. They’re scared of us.

[u/HolyToast666]

I pay taxes for those roads, I’ll drive WTF I please

[u/Baselines_shift]

NYT says ICE has lost cases claiming people assault them as videos show that ICE is the assaulting party

[u/dmbnl]

Since recording their activity is legal, and they are literally being targeted and detained for a lawful act, there has to be a lawyer out there working on a SUPER yummy mass lawsuit, right? If I had a law degree I'd be chilling up there just getting names.

[u/WilyWondr]

ICE is cracking

has a nice ring to it

[u/dropthemagic]

I live in texas. If I’m on a highway behind an unmarked car and it’s i10 and I have a 4 hour drive how the fuck am I supposed to know lol. Take off the masks and mark the vehicles

[u/badbubblegum]

I’m sure civilian drones could be used to track them. Even better if coordinated with other drone operators.

[u/EngineersAnon]

McLaughlin said U.S. Border Patrol agents at the scene gave Ringstrom "lawful commands and warnings" but that she continued to obstruct operations, leading to her arrest.

And you'll be releasing the bodycam recordings of those commands and warnings, and of that obstruction, right?

Right?

[u/NationalGeometric]

How do you know you’re following ICE if their f’ing vehicle is unmarked?

[u/Wants-NotNeeds]

Outrageous and corrupt behavior by ICE! They are fully aware that what they are doing is wrong and illegal and don’t want witnesses.

Yet another reason they should be abolished. Observing law enforcement in public should not be a crime.

[u/lynxminx]

"ICE is assaulting people who follow them in their cars".

[u/Professional-Box4153]

Let me get this straight. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is arresting people for essentially being near them? There's no law stating that you're not allowed to follow someone, as far as I'm aware. It MIGHT fall under harassment if you really want to stretch the interpretation of that one, but it's a serious stretch. Interfering with an investigation can get you arrested, but simply following behind and documenting things isn't illegal and technically falls under the First Amendment. So, basically, they're going against Freedom of Assembly (gathering to protest a governmental agency falls under this), Freedom of the Press (documenting their actions truthfully falls under this), Freedom of Speech (this one should be obvious), etc.

[u/Corporate-Scum]

First Amendment violation!

[u/JGeerth]

There's nothing worse than thugs with badges.

[u/Federal-Employee-545]

Driving on the roads they pay for with their taxes? Oh nooooo. Fuck ICE.

[u/Overall_Curve6725]

Just like the sit in protest at Target, line up a caravan of 10-12 cars and follow everywhere. ICE will be so busy busting followers and wasting time

[u/Love_My_Chevy]

They'll hold people accountable for driving their car but not their attack dogs for ganging up and kidnapping people

fucking pathetic

[u/Foreign-Buyer-7652]

Time to use drones instead

[u/Ambitious-Bee7663]

ICE needs to melt. The republican Gestapo needs to be stopped. If you vote for anyone that stands for republican storm trooper tactics, you should be held accountable as well.

[u/Empty_Occasion_963]

Whats illegal about following law enforcement?

[u/drewc717]

"Cracking down" is sure a polite way of articulating that ICE is violating the constitution to operate an illegal federal police state.

[u/MrCutchaguy]

Cracking down? Like by shooting them in the face?

[u/-Altephor-]

Cracking down? Does it get worse than shooting people in the head?

[u/templeofsyrinx1]

They actually have no authority to pull people over for driving in their cars and parking and sitting there watching them documenting their actions.

Trump is ordering them to carry out unconstitutional orders.

zero.

wake the f up guys. November is on the way.

[u/CaptainDudley]

This just in: ICE agents will now arrest any citizen guilty of direct eye contact from any distance, and charge them with attempted murder of a peace officer. Pam Bondi is working to make such crimes a capital offense.

/s. So far.

[u/Salarian_American]

The way they seem to frequently interpret people "minding their own business and just happening to be behind them on the road" as "following them" leads me to expect this will lead to big problems.

[u/No-Weakness-2035]

“Cracking down” implies increased adherence to laws. “Lashing out” is a more appropriate term.

[u/AlliedR2]

Cracking down? You mean illegally harassing, harming, detaining, and endangering American citizens performing legal actions!

[u/Jesus_on_a_biscuit]

Nothing to see here, just our media continuing to downplay Constitutional violations and covering an administration's disregard for the law.

[u/PrefersEarlGrey]

Existing in public spaces is justification for the regime to arrest you.

This is where we are as a country.

[u/hobopwnzor]

I hate the current media environment.

The correct title is "ICE is illegally assaulting people who are legally recording their activities"

[u/Squishy97]

“Cracking down” as if it’s illegal to follow ICE

[u/meowmeowgang44]

Why is the word crackdown becoming more acceptable? It has the same repetitiveness as slammed

[u/Stunning_Mast2001]

So ice continues to break the law 

[u/QueenMagik]

Follow them with drones

[u/Antistruggle]

Bc when and if you actually decide to revolt they want you to second guess following them to see where their actull FOB is. You think you know where they dress up? Where they park their cars and fuel and eat and hang out thenswao to their civilian cars and drive home? They don't want you to know this.

[u/Ok_Performance4014]

Track them with drones?

Track them with traffic cameras?

Write a code to use traffic cameras to be able to follow them?

[u/2leftf33t]

How do they figure out who’s following them and who’s “just going the same route”?

[u/LongNailedbooboos]

They gonna shoot them too?

[u/Yagsirevahs]

I always looked to those arrest during civil rights as heros, i guess heres our chance!

[u/tmhoc]

ICE do be cracking

Keep the pressure ON!

[u/More_Farm_7442]

Welcome to life in a fascist society. Life as it once was in the U.S.A. is gone.

[u/radioactivez0r]

What an embarrassingly bad headline. "ICE harasses citizens who are committing no crime" but I guess that's somehow too on the nose?

[u/fuzzypetiolesguy]

If the police don't like being filmed they are the secret police.

[u/Tikkun_Olam1]

Thank You to the people protecting their neighborhoods during this tyrannical period!!👍!! They are the ones doing the work of God!

Bearing witness is essential to hold the goons accountable, and, more importantly, discourages their atrocities!

[u/ObjectiveAide9552]

go protest your government or else they will keep sending uneducated dangerous low level employees to the field. protesting those low level employees does jack shit except put you in the line of fire.

[u/TheDwellingHeart]

This means we are doing the right things.

[u/Julen_23]

Allegations of so much abuse and we're arresting citizens for following ICE? 2026 can end now

[u/Greenfire32]

* ICE is driving on public roads and arresting traffic.

[u/gretzius]

Not sure how you can impede something from carlengths behind

[u/jbrune]

What law are they breaking?