Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

waterwatcher123

(474 posts)
Wed Jan 14, 2026, 03:10 PM Wednesday

Might Be a Good Idea to Photograph and Catalog ICE Employee Badge Numbers and Vehicle License Plates.

ICE employees are conducting their campaign of domestic terrorism in part because they can operate under a veil of secrecy and anonymity due to face coverings. As such, it seems like a good idea to capture and catalog ICE agent badge numbers by location, date, and type of event (kidnapping, protester violence, etc.). The same could apply to the vehicles they are driving. If they are government vehicles, they are assigned to someone at ICE (rental vehicles would have a similar identifier). Eventually the identities of these ICE agents will be exposed, and these badge and license plate numbers might be crucial in bringing some level of accountability to these agents. Some of the hacked data on ICE agents might include these badge numbers as well.

19 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Might Be a Good Idea to Photograph and Catalog ICE Employee Badge Numbers and Vehicle License Plates. (Original Post) waterwatcher123 Wednesday OP
It IS a good idea! calimary Wednesday #1
Do they have badge numbers? Vinca Wednesday #2
They hav letters and numbers which are supposedly their identifiers SSJVegeta Wednesday #4
Yes, they do have badge numbers (think it is part of their effort to provide a sense of legitimacy). waterwatcher123 Wednesday #11
With the leak, you can probably match a lot of their name tag symbols with what is released. SSJVegeta Wednesday #3
Seems like some of them may be "plate swapping", which surely has to be illegal. RedWhiteBlueIsRacist Wednesday #5
It is hard to see, but the VIN number on the vehicle is another good identifier (hard to get that close, however). waterwatcher123 Wednesday #12
They rarely display either badges or license plates. Nt Fiendish Thingy Wednesday #6
+1 leftstreet Wednesday #7
I have seen quite a few pictures and video where ICE agents have their faces covered and their badges visible. waterwatcher123 Wednesday #10
We're beyond that n/t leftstreet Wednesday #8
It is by no means the most important thing people can do - just about accountability down the road. waterwatcher123 Wednesday #15
Just rip their masks down GenThePerservering Wednesday #9
Ritche Torres is supposedly filing a bill requiring ICE agents to wear an identifying QR code WhiskeyGrinder Wednesday #13
Good idea - a new form of ICE tattoo. waterwatcher123 Wednesday #17
lol ok WhiskeyGrinder Wednesday #19
There have been reports on MN social media that ICE... keep_left Wednesday #14
The number they typically scan is right on the dash under the windshield (usually driver's side). waterwatcher123 Wednesday #16
Thanks for the additional info. keep_left Wednesday #18

waterwatcher123

(474 posts)
11. Yes, they do have badge numbers (think it is part of their effort to provide a sense of legitimacy).
Wed Jan 14, 2026, 06:48 PM
Wednesday

RedWhiteBlueIsRacist

(1,908 posts)
5. Seems like some of them may be "plate swapping", which surely has to be illegal.
Wed Jan 14, 2026, 03:21 PM
Wednesday

Not that they have a problem with lawbreaking.

waterwatcher123

(474 posts)
12. It is hard to see, but the VIN number on the vehicle is another good identifier (hard to get that close, however).
Wed Jan 14, 2026, 06:51 PM
Wednesday

waterwatcher123

(474 posts)
10. I have seen quite a few pictures and video where ICE agents have their faces covered and their badges visible.
Wed Jan 14, 2026, 06:39 PM
Wednesday

I guess it should be more broadly to capture any identifying insignia or lettering (some have names and numbers on the uniforms).

waterwatcher123

(474 posts)
15. It is by no means the most important thing people can do - just about accountability down the road.
Wed Jan 14, 2026, 07:09 PM
Wednesday

Lots of people are taking excellent videos and pictures. But few of them focus specifically on how to identify ICE agents. This information exists in DHS now. But it is going to take a whistle blower or good crowd-sourced data to track down incidents that involve specific agents.

keep_left

(3,169 posts)
14. There have been reports on MN social media that ICE...
Wed Jan 14, 2026, 06:55 PM
Wednesday

...agents are swapping plates on their vehicles. A better approach would be to record VIN numbers, since those cannot change (and are found in multiple locations on the vehicle). I know that mechanics and car rental agencies have electronic readers that can scan a VIN number instantly. I don't know if that sort of thing is available to the general public, however.

waterwatcher123

(474 posts)
16. The number they typically scan is right on the dash under the windshield (usually driver's side).
Wed Jan 14, 2026, 07:37 PM
Wednesday

The same VIN number is often found on doors and fenders too (none of which are visible). The VIN number shows up on major electronic components in the vehicle too. But, you have to access it through the onboard diagnostic port (OBD port) with a code reader or find someone who can hack into the vehicle's communication system. NPR had a story a few years back where someone hacked a Toyota Prius and was able to turn it remotely and shut it down as it was being driven. The police also have electro-magnetic pulse (EMP) devices that disable the ignition systems on vehicles. But you rarely hear about these devices being used.

By-the-way, it is possible to change the vehicle's VIN number in the computer and on-board electronics (have done it myself to solve some vehicle communication problems after swapping out the vehicle’s engine computer).

keep_left

(3,169 posts)
18. Thanks for the additional info.
Wed Jan 14, 2026, 07:42 PM
Wednesday

I forgot about the OBD approach. I see the mechanics and the AAA service techs using those scanners to read the VIN from the dash; there is supposedly an app that gives smartphones the same ability.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Might Be a Good Idea to P...