Fact Check: Did DHS urge US citizens to be ready to show proof of citizenship?
WASHINGTON, DC: A rumor has been circulating online claiming that the Department of Homeland Security has made an announcement advising US citizens to be prepared to present proof of their citizenship. The alleged announcement comes at a time when the department is facing intense scrutiny for its crackdown raids. Let us fact-check the claim.
Claim: Citizens should be prepared to present proof of citizenship
🚨#BREAKING: The Department of Homeland Security has announced and is advising its U.S. citizens to be prepared to present proof of citizenship.
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) January 16, 2026
The claim was first spread by an X account, @rawsalerts, which appears to be a credible news coverage page with a million followers, as suggested by its bio, which reads, 'RawsAlerts is your go-to source for fast and accurate news coverage, specializing in groundbreaking events. Powered by @Polymarket.'
The post was accompanied by the caption, '#BREAKING: The Department of Homeland Security has announced and is advising its U.S. citizens to be prepared to present proof of citizenship.'
Fact Check: Partially true, as there is no broad announcement
False. A person’s immigration status makes them a target for enforcement, not their skin color, race or ethnicity.
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) January 16, 2026
Law enforcement uses ‘reasonable suspicion’ to make arrests, as protected under the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The Supreme Court has already ruled… https://t.co/oEtvjbkpVA
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem advised reporters that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers may ask some Americans for proof of citizenship during enforcement operations.
"In every situation we are doing targeted enforcement," said Noem during a press gaggle outside the White House on Thursday in response to a reporter asking why some Americans have been asked to provide proof of citizenship in Minnesota.
DHS clarified that there is no broad announcement requiring all citizens to carry proof at all times.
"If we are on a target, there may be individuals surrounding that criminal that we may be asking who they are and why they're there and having them validate their identity," Noem said.
Scrutiny of ICE grows after fatal shooting
The response focuses on protestors following ICE agents, raising tensions, and the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, who, according to city officials, was a legal observer during an ICE operation.
The scrutiny against ICE has intensified in the last few weeks, particularly after the fatal shooting.
Multiple polls suggest that the majority of Americans do not believe the shooting was justified.
According to a CNN poll, 51% of Americans think ICE is making cities less safe, while just 31% say they are making the cities safer. A Quinnipiac survey found that 57% of voters disapprove of the way ICE is operating.
