What Happened
Federal Agency Reverses Course After Lawsuit Challenges Rule
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has withdrawn US drone restrictions that barred flights near federal immigration enforcement vehicles after a Minnesota photojournalist challenged the rule in federal court. The restrictions, issued in January 2026, had created moving no-fly zones around federal vehicles, including unmarked ICE vehicles, making it impossible for drone pilots to know whether they were in a restricted area. The FAA’s decision to replace the restrictions with advisory language may pave the way for more drone journalism and aerial photography, particularly in areas with high immigration enforcement activity. The lawsuit, filed with help from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, argued that the restriction violated the First Amendment and due process protections, as reported by AeroTime.