US Citizens Begin Carrying Passports Amid ICE Enforcement Fears
In response to increased ICE enforcement and raids, several US citizens across the country have begun carrying their passports regularly to avoid confrontations or detainment.
Munira Maalimisaq of Minneapolis, a naturalized US citizen for over twenty years, started carrying her passport on December 2 after federal agents specifically targeted Somali communities. Her clinic expanded telehealth services and offered safe rides due to fears expressed by her patients.
Walter Cruz Perez from Kenner, Louisiana, who became a US citizen in 2022, keeps his passport in a cellphone case inside a ziplock bag to quickly present if approached by authorities. He fears that his accent and appearance might otherwise expose him as an immigrant.
Carola Lopez, a Puerto Rico-born US citizen residing outside New Orleans, has carried her passport in her car since 2015 following a near stop in Houston. She does so to avoid uncomfortable interactions or citizenship questions and expressed sadness at the necessity of constantly proving her belonging.
In Los Angeles, Miguel Rios, a 49-year-old native, began carrying copies of his passport after raids affected his community and a relative was detained. He has altered travel plans and interactions with officials and uses a dash cam for additional safety amid concerns of anti-Spanish-speaker enforcement.
Ana, an educator in southern California and daughter of Mexican immigrants, started carrying her passport and ID after witnessing the detainment of Andrea Velez. She has since engaged in rights education and participated in marches, viewing the current era as dangerous and a threat to due process.
