Kristi Noem says Americans should be ready to show proof of citizenship as she backs ICE raids

WASHINGTON, DC: Kristi Noem issued a warning to the American public regarding ICE raids while speaking with reporters outside the White House on Thursday, January 15.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secretary reportedly said, “In every situation we are doing targeted enforcement,” when asked by a reporter why Americans on the street are being asked to provide proof of citizenship in Minnesota. 

Noem further noted that “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.”

“That’s what we’ve always done in asking people who they are so that we know who’s in those surroundings,” Noem asserted, before adding that “if they are breaking our federal laws, we will detain them.”

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem speaks to reporters after participating in a TV interview outside of the White House on January 15, 2026 in Washington, DC. Earlier this morning on Truth Social, President Donald Trump posted a warning that he may enact the Insurrection Act in response to rising tensions between protesters and federal agents in Minneapolis (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

White House defends ICE agent in Minnesota shooting

Noem’s statement came as ICE raids have continued to make news nationwide, with critics, including Democrats, condemning the operations, especially after the early January fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good.

Good, 37, a mother of three, was reportedly shot dead by ICE agent Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during an enforcement operation.

The Trump administration has justified the shooting by calling Good a “domestic te**orist.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reportedly described Good as a “lunatic” and justified Ross’ actions by calling them self-defense. She also praised the agent, calling him “brave” and “experienced.” 

“There is plentiful video evidence to show that the officer was struck by the car that this deranged, lunatic woman was trying to ram him over with her vehicle and was using that vehicle as a weapon, which justifies domestic t*rrorism,” Leavitt added.

In a video shared on X, Leavitt again asserted, “This administration will continue to stand wholeheartedly by the brave men and women of ICE, including that officer in Minneapolis, who was absolutely justified in using self-defence against a lunatic.”

Tim Walz calls out ICE raids

In a video message, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz urged people to speak out against ICE raids.

He encouraged residents to “establish a record of exactly what's happening in our communities.”

“You have an absolute right to peacefully film ICE agents as they conduct these activities. So carry your phone with you at all times and if you see these ICE agents in your neighborhood, take out that phone and hit record. Help us create a database of the atrocities against Minnesotans, not just to establish a record for posterity, but to bank evidence for future prosecution,” Walz added.