Suspicious SUVs everywhere in Chicago lately?
You’re not seeing things.
Here’s your quick guide to spotting ICE, knowing your rights, and keeping your community safe. 🧵
You’re not seeing things.
Here’s your quick guide to spotting ICE, knowing your rights, and keeping your community safe. 🧵
SUVs with dark front tinted windows?
Dark tinted front windows are illegal in Chicago unless the vehicle has a “WT” license. Most of these are likely ICE vehicles, especially if traveling together.
Dark tinted front windows are illegal in Chicago unless the vehicle has a “WT” license. Most of these are likely ICE vehicles, especially if traveling together.
No front license plate?
It’s illegal in Illinois unless the vehicle is a motorcycle, trailer, or certain other exceptions.
Many ICE vehicles are missing front plates or have plates from other states.
It’s illegal in Illinois unless the vehicle is a motorcycle, trailer, or certain other exceptions.
Many ICE vehicles are missing front plates or have plates from other states.
FP plates?
“FP” stands for Fleet Permanent…used for company or government fleet vehicles.
Many ICE vehicles use these plates to blend in with commercial fleets. These will most likely be white plates.
“FP” stands for Fleet Permanent…used for company or government fleet vehicles.
Many ICE vehicles use these plates to blend in with commercial fleets. These will most likely be white plates.
There have also been reports of ICE Agents wearing construction gear, neon vests, and even pretending to be ride share drivers.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS WHILE FILMING:
You have a First Amendment right to record public activity, including ICE vehicles and arrests.
Agents have been reported for trying to intimidate people filming.
Always continue to film, even when being questioned.
You have a First Amendment right to record public activity, including ICE vehicles and arrests.
Agents have been reported for trying to intimidate people filming.
Always continue to film, even when being questioned.
You have the right to tell people their rights, while they are being detained.
A federal judge ruled ICE agents must either show their faces, or have their badge number visible.
You can ask for officers’ names and badge numbers (and film their badges), as well as ask whom to call with questions about any arrests or actions by any federal agents.
A federal judge ruled ICE agents must either show their faces, or have their badge number visible.
You can ask for officers’ names and badge numbers (and film their badges), as well as ask whom to call with questions about any arrests or actions by any federal agents.
If ICE agents surround you or try to intimidate you while filming:
Stay calm.
Say: “I am exercising my right to record public activity.”
Keep your phone visible, continue filming from a safe distance.
Stay calm.
Say: “I am exercising my right to record public activity.”
Keep your phone visible, continue filming from a safe distance.
If ICE agents start asking you questions/try to distract you from filming:
Stay calm, it is your right to remain silent; you have no obligation to cooperate as a bystander.
If they try to block you or detain you, you can say:
“Am I free to go?”
If they say yes, move away and keep filming.
If they say no, ask:
“Am I being detained?”
And remember: In Illinois, you do not need to legally carry around an ID unless driving. So, they cannot demand an ID.
Stay calm, it is your right to remain silent; you have no obligation to cooperate as a bystander.
If they try to block you or detain you, you can say:
“Am I free to go?”
If they say yes, move away and keep filming.
If they say no, ask:
“Am I being detained?”
And remember: In Illinois, you do not need to legally carry around an ID unless driving. So, they cannot demand an ID.
If they try to move you or claim obstruction while filming:
If they say to back up. Respond:
“I heard your order and am backing up.” (This proves to them, and on video, that you are complying)
If they keep demanding you to move/back up further, say:
“You’re asking me to move but haven’t stated where I can go to keep exercising my right to film. I do not understand your order.”
Stay on public property, avoid private property (and if on private property always follow the owner’s request), and document everything.
If they say to back up. Respond:
“I heard your order and am backing up.” (This proves to them, and on video, that you are complying)
If they keep demanding you to move/back up further, say:
“You’re asking me to move but haven’t stated where I can go to keep exercising my right to film. I do not understand your order.”
Stay on public property, avoid private property (and if on private property always follow the owner’s request), and document everything.
Filming from the street:
ICE cannot force you off a public street if you are not blocking traffic or impeding their operation.
If they demand you move, say:
“I am exercising my right to record public activity. I am not obstructing traffic or your operations. Please specify a lawful location where I can continue recording.”
And make sure to show what is around you as you film.
ICE cannot force you off a public street if you are not blocking traffic or impeding their operation.
If they demand you move, say:
“I am exercising my right to record public activity. I am not obstructing traffic or your operations. Please specify a lawful location where I can continue recording.”
And make sure to show what is around you as you film.
Surveillance of ICE vehicles:
It is legal to follow on public roads as long as you obey traffic laws, don’t tailgate, block, or enter private property.
Do not attempt to block or harass the vehicle.
It is legal to follow on public roads as long as you obey traffic laws, don’t tailgate, block, or enter private property.
Do not attempt to block or harass the vehicle.
Announcing ICE’s presence:
It is not illegal to alert the public of ICE’s presence.
“The U.S. Constitution safeguards the right to free speech, including public announcements about law enforcement activities. Courts have upheld that alerting the public to ICE’s presence is constitutionally protected, even if it complicates ICE’s operations.”
If agents threaten to detain you for announcing their presence, state:
“I am exercising my free speech to announce the presence of law enforcement.”
It is not illegal to alert the public of ICE’s presence.
“The U.S. Constitution safeguards the right to free speech, including public announcements about law enforcement activities. Courts have upheld that alerting the public to ICE’s presence is constitutionally protected, even if it complicates ICE’s operations.”
If agents threaten to detain you for announcing their presence, state:
“I am exercising my free speech to announce the presence of law enforcement.”
ICE has been reported to unlawfully detain people for filming and asking questions.
Know your rights, stay calm, and always film any ICE activity.
Know your rights, stay calm, and always film any ICE activity.
Hotlines / legal support:
ICIRR: 1‑855‑HELP‑MY‑FAMILY
National Immigrant Justice Center (Chicago)
ACLU Illinois
Find your local rapid response team: citybureau.org/newswire/2025/…
ICIRR: 1‑855‑HELP‑MY‑FAMILY
National Immigrant Justice Center (Chicago)
ACLU Illinois
Find your local rapid response team: citybureau.org/newswire/2025/…
**This thread is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice.**
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