As federal immigration enforcement intensifies across the United States, communities are proactively building their own tools and support systems to counter aggressive tactics by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). From 3D-printed whistles to encrypted mesh networks, a growing movement of makers, hackers, and activists is creating tangible resistance to what they describe as unchecked federal overreach.
The Rise of DIY Countermeasures
The surge in ICE activity—including controversial operations like “Metro Surge” in Minneapolis—has prompted a rapid response from grassroots makerspaces and individuals. These spaces, often community-run workshops equipped with 3D printers, laser cutters, and traditional tools, are now hubs for producing practical countermeasures.
Key tools being developed include:
- Alert Whistles: Mass-produced via 3D printing to warn communities of approaching ICE agents.
- Protective Gear: DIY tourniquets, bodycam mounts (allowing hands-free documentation), and eye-wash stations to mitigate the effects of pepper spray or tear gas during protests.
- Repair Clinics: Fixing damaged equipment after federal raids or confrontations.
The urgency is driven by real fear. One Midwest-based maker, speaking anonymously, described a “constant level of inherent stress and anxiety” due to the unpredictable nature of ICE enforcement.
Building Off-Grid Communication Networks
Beyond physical tools, makers are creating alternative communication systems to bypass surveillance. Meshtastic, a community-driven project, utilizes low-power mesh routers to establish decentralized, off-grid networks for secure messaging. These routers, which can be purchased or built from readily available components, allow users to send text-based alerts without relying on cell towers or the internet.
Woody Poulard, an advocate in New York City, has been distributing guides on using mesh routers and hosting workshops to integrate them into everyday devices like phone cases. While not foolproof (anyone with the channel password can read messages), this approach offers a level of privacy that traditional communication channels lack.
Resilience Through Joy and Technical Skill
The resistance is not just about practicality; it’s also about maintaining morale and agency. Activists like Claire Danielle Cassidy in Portland, Oregon, emphasize the importance of “weaponized cuteness” and “joyful resistance.” She builds light graffiti projectors, solar-powered chargers, and laser-cut accessories as a way to engage people in technical tinkering while preparing for potential escalation.
“Being effective in activism, you don’t need to be upset, stressed out, and have an adrenaline response for you to be caring,” Cassidy says. “This is the whole pipeline of fascism: sucking people into shame and fear cycles and trying to take power over the situation. Things can be gentle even in the middle of all of this. And you can still be effective.”
Cassidy’s approach highlights a key tactic: making resistance accessible by linking technical skills to everyday activities. For example, learning to build an LED coat provides a foundation for understanding off-grid solar arrays.
The makerspace movement is adapting to the evolving threat of ICE enforcement, offering communities tools and networks to push back. These efforts demonstrate that resilience can be built not only through direct confrontation but also through practical, decentralized innovation.
