Whoopi Goldberg Defends First Amendment Rights Amid ICE Controversy

On Tuesday, Whoopi Goldberg, a co-host on “The View,” cautioned her colleague Sunny Hostin about the authority of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to detain protesters or interfere with filming activities.

Hostin brought up the recent incident involving Renee Good, who was shot by an ICE agent while driving near the officer. She suggested that Good was merely exercising his First Amendment rights. In response, Goldberg referenced guidelines from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding when ICE agents can legally arrest U.S. citizens.

Goldberg explained, “At protests, they can get closer to you. Yes, you may be asked to move if you are blocking the space. If there’s a crime scene, you may be asked to step back. They can’t ask you to stop filming. They can’t touch you. They cannot impose themselves on you, nor can they detain you just for exercising your first amendment rights.”

Goldberg also mentioned, “According to the DHS, ICE officers can stop, detain, and arrest individuals they suspect of being in the country illegally. Yet, if you walk up to someone to arrest them, it doesn’t mean you’re right, especially when it comes to protesters.”

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, ICE officers are indeed permitted to detain individuals, including U.S. citizens, if they are obstructing immigration enforcement activities, such as blocking an officer’s vehicle. They can also detain individuals suspected of being in the U.S. illegally or if someone physically interferes with an arrest.

While there is legal precedence for filming ICE operations, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem previously stated that filming ICE agents could be deemed “doxxing,” and there are concerns that individuals could face prosecution.

In the incident involving Good, video footage revealed his vehicle obstructing traffic when ICE agents arrived. An officer stepped out to photograph the license plate, prompting Good’s wife, Rebecca, to film and confront the officer. Matters escalated when more agents arrived and ordered her to exit the vehicle, leading Good to accelerate, which resulted in officers firing their guns.

According to footage shared by police, it appears Rebecca was urging Good to drive away as officers approached. Law professor Jonathan Turley commented that the shooting could likely be considered justified if the vehicle was seen as a deadly weapon.