It’s legal to film police, including the feds, at work in public. But it’s also true that the feds don’t care what’s legal and will threaten, abuse and brutalize even peaceful and professional observers. Homeland security officials make clear that they will do whatever they can to stymie investigation and prosecution of even the most blatant misconduct. With all this in mind, Witness published a slide deck of practical tops on filming immigration and law enforcement. Originally prepared in early 2025, it is now essential reading for anyone doing so where ICE, Border Patrol and local law enforcement support are active.
Video alone is rarely enough to achieve justice, but can be powerful when used with other advocacy tools. Filming should be approached thoughtfully, keeping in mind safety, legal risks, and shifting policies. Not all situations are appropriate for filming, and ethical considerations must guide decisions to record
The guide makes clear the differences between agencies, explains the law of the land, details the legal half-truths officers are likely to threaten observers with, and why it’s best to comply with certain commands, especially “back up,” which they use to justify violent escalation.
PRACTICAL FILMING SAFETY TIPS PRIOR TO FILMING, REMEMBER TO:
If you have cloud accounts connected to your phone, make sure to have AUTOMATIC CLOUD BACKUPS for photos and videos enabled.
SECURE YOUR DEVICES (phone, computer, tablet), back up important data, and delete sensitive information to protect anyone at risk of deportation or detainment.
Consider setting up a PRIVATE CHAT OR GROUP that you can easily share documentation and updates with after filming.
