In a striking and unusual form of protest, people across the US are posting videos of themselves walking in public with their US passports taped to their heads, a symbolic response to growing fears around Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.
What do the videos show?
The videos showed individuals with passports visibly affixed to their foreheads as they go about everyday activities. Many creators say the act is meant to pre-emptively show proof of citizenship in case they are stopped or questioned by federal agents.
One popular video that went viral featured a creator saying, “You cannot be too careful, you’ve got to move with purpose now,” as he walks through public spaces with his passport on display.
I'd laugh, but this just makes me want to fucking cry.
— Richard Woodruff 🇺🇦 (@frontlinekit) January 26, 2026
The state of the United States right now, that a man with dark skin must tie his passport to his forehead, so he doesn't get abducted or shot by ICE. pic.twitter.com/lhoVmx6qhx
Some users have also taped driver’s licences or other identification to their heads in similar videos.
Earlier a man, who identified himself as a “former illegal alien” with roots from Mexico, shared a photo of his car on X, which showed several documents like passports and other ID proofs on display.
Besides US passport, the photo featured ‘Make America Great Again’ hat, his birth certificate, and the American national flag.
“This is how I drive to work everyday,” he had written, captioning his post.
Are US citizens required to carry proof of citizenship in public?
Although US citizens are not required to carry their passports domestically, many people appear to be responding to public debates and misinformation surrounding ICE practices.
What has fuelled such fear?
Recent high-profile ICE operations, particularly in Minnesota, where federal agents were involved in two separate fatal shootings of citizens Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good, have fuelled distrust and fear among communities. These incidents have sparked widespread protests and amplified concerns about how ICE conducts its raids and interacts with the public.
Civil liberties advocates warned that such gestures, while symbolic, reflect the deeper anxiety over immigration enforcement and civil rights, News Minimalist reported.
What’s the current situation in Minnesota?
The deployment of thousands of ICE, Border Patrol and DHS agents to the Twin Cities has prompted sustained demonstrations and clashes between protesters and federal law enforcement, with state and local leaders sharply critical of the tactics used and alleging civil rights violations, CBS News reported.
US President Donald Trump has deployed White House Border Czar Tom Homan to take stock of the situation.