Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem turned heads this week with a warning for everyday Americans: Be ready to show you’re a U.S. citizen if ICE agents come knocking.

The dramatic remarks came Thursday, with Noem addressing reporters outside the White House amid heated debate over aggressive immigration enforcement.

Noem doubled down, claiming ICE’s operations aren’t random but laser-focused on specific individuals. Still, she admitted that bystanders—even law-abiding citizens—might be caught up in identity checks. “If we’re targeting a suspect, sometimes those nearby need to explain who they are. We’ll ask for proof,” she declared, referencing recent incidents in Minnesota that saw federal agents requesting IDs from citizens on the scene.

Here’s why it’s causing a stir: ICE’s crackdown has drawn protestors and legal observers out in force, many trailing agents during raids. The tension exploded after Renee Nicole Good—described by city officials as a legitimate legal monitor—was gunned down during an enforcement action, sparking massive outrage. The Trump White House painted Good in a damning light, blasting her as a menace and a radical troublemaker. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt didn’t hold back, slamming Good’s actions as those of a “deranged lunatic.”

Since then, feds have played hardball, demanding identification from activists, protestors, and observers at sites like Minneapolis. Caught on video, some citizens have angrily fired back, insisting they shouldn’t have to prove their identity simply for being present.

Back in January, President Trump hammered through orders forcing immigrants to always carry documentation—be it a visa, green card, or official ID. Under the Alien Registration Act, ignoring these orders can land someone in hot legal water, facing fines or prosecution. Although the law isn’t new, the administration vowed to strictly enforce it.

But here’s the twist: With so many eyes on ICE—protesters and legal watchdogs included—even U.S. citizens are being swept up, forced to prove they’re not undocumented. Critics warned Trump’s campaign would mean everyone in America might have to keep ID on them at all times to avoid being mistaken for illegal immigrants.

Noem’s remarks reignited debate over citizens’ rights. The Fourth Amendment supposedly shields people from random ID checks unless cops have real cause—or plan to slap on handcuffs. But if someone refuses or can’t produce ID when questioned near an ICE operation, they could get tagged as a suspect. For Americans, the message from DHS is clear: Carry your papers, just in case you get caught up in the chaos.