Eyes on Ice: Documenting Immigration Abuses

Check out our tip sheet on safely, ethically and effectively filming immigration enforcement abuses in the U.S.

Image: Immigration Customs Enforcement team 

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Overview

From 13-year-old Fatima Avelica-Gonzalez filming her father as he was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement(ICE) agents on her cell phone amidst her sobs, to the desperation, confusion, and fear heard in the recording of 10 Central American children separated from their families at the US-Mexican border, documentation has a crucial role in exposing immigration abuses and advocating for rights. 

This project offers a deep dive into how to safely, ethically and effectively film immigration abuses by ICE agents, Border Patrol, and others through in person trainings, tipsheets, case studies, videos, and more.

Together we will expose ICE and Border Patrol, demand justice, share our truths, and remind the perpetrators: the world is watching.

No bans. No walls. No deportations.

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Featured Cases

Select materials available in:

Arabic | French | Haitian Creole | Spanish 

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    Resources & Stories

EYES ON COURTS: DOCUMENTING ICE ARRESTS

EYES ON COURTS: DOCUMENTING ICE ARRESTS

BLOG POST
WITNESS worked with the Immigrant Defense Project and NYCLU to create guidance on documenting ICE targeting and arresting immigrants outside of courthouses.
USING FACEBOOK IN AN ERA OF MASS DEPORTATION

USING FACEBOOK IN AN ERA OF MASS DEPORTATION

BLOG POST
For many across the country, learning about the Cambridge Analytica scandal was the first time they became aware of how their data and security are often compromised by the social media platforms we engage with every day. 
FILMING IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS OFFICIALS

FILMING IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS OFFICIALS

TIP SHEET
Filming encounters with Immigration and Customs Officials (ICE) can expose human rights abuses, deter violence, substantiate reports and serve as evidence. But if the footage isn’t captured safely and ethically, it can put people at risk.
JUAN’S STORY: FROM SURVEILLANCE CAMERA TO THE COURTROOM

JUAN’S STORY: FROM SURVEILLANCE CAMERA TO THE COURTROOM

CASE STUDY
This post examines the role of surveillance video in advocating for Juan Hernandez, and fighting against his deportation from the U.S.
EYES ON THE BORDER: KEEPING FAMILIES SAFE

EYES ON THE BORDER: KEEPING FAMILIES SAFE

BLOG POST
Cell phone videos and audio recordings are helping expose Border Patrol’s violent tactics as they continue to murder immigrants and separate young children from their families.
FILMING IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS OFFICIALS

FILMING IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS OFFICIALS

ANIMATED VIDEO
Filming encounters with Immigration and Customs Officials (ICE) can expose human rights abuses, deter violence, substantiate reports and serve as evidence. 
Q&A: LEGAL ISSUES AND SECURITY CONCERNS WHEN FILMING ICE

Q&A: LEGAL ISSUES AND SECURITY CONCERNS WHEN FILMING ICE

BLOG POST
This blog post goes into detail on security questions and legal issues that we weren’t fully able to respond to during our 2-part #EyesOnICE webinar series.
ROMULO’S STORY: USING VIDEO TO ADVOCATE FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS

ROMULO’S STORY: USING VIDEO TO ADVOCATE FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS

CASE STUDY
This post examines the role video played in advocating for uniting Romulo Avelica-Gonzalez with his family, and fighting against his deportation from L.A.
SHARING VIDEOS OF ENCOUNTERS WITH ICE

SHARING VIDEOS OF ENCOUNTERS WITH ICE

CHECKLIST
This checklist will guide you through a series of important questions to consider before publicly sharing videos of encounters with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement in the United States.
WITNESS JOINS #WEHAVERIGHTS CAMPAIGN

WITNESS JOINS #WEHAVERIGHTS CAMPAIGN

ANIMATED VIDEOS
WITNESS is proud to join a powerful coalition of community and media groups working to educate and mobilize communities at risk of abuse by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
EYES ON ICE WEBINAR SERIES

EYES ON ICE WEBINAR SERIES

WEBINARS
Watch our 2-part #EyesOnICE webinar series, co-hosted with the Immigrant Defense Project, for practical tips on filming immigration officials and strategies for community response.

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