civil liberties

Noem Denies ICE Database as Video Shows Otherwise

Kristi Noem recently found herself in a rather awkward position during a House Judiciary hearing. The topic at hand was the Department of Homeland Security and its potential involvement in creating databases of protesters. Noem, from her stance, was quite adamant that such a thing was not happening. She confidently asserted that the DHS was not engaged in compiling information on individuals participating in protests.

This firm denial, however, ran headfirst into some inconvenient evidence. A congressman presented Noem with a video that showed an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Maine explicitly stating that a protester was being added to a “domestic terrorist” database.… Continue reading

Aliya Rahman Arrest Highlights Silencing of Dissent

During President Trump’s State of the Union address, Aliya Rahman, a disabled software engineer and guest of Rep. Ilhan Omar, was arrested and forcibly removed from the House chamber. Rahman had silently stood up to clap at one point and later stood again in silent protest, actions which Capitol Police deemed a “demonstration” and a refusal to obey lawful orders. Despite her disabilities and the intervention of others, she was handcuffed, had her cane confiscated, and was later charged with unlawful conduct. This incident is considered by many to be an unprecedented and heavy-handed response to peaceful dissent.

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Trump’s ICE Stockpiling Weapons Should Alarm Everyone

Data released by Senator Adam Schiff’s office reveals that private arms manufacturers have secured lucrative contracts with the Department of Homeland Security, amassing substantial stockpiles of military-style equipment. This buildup, amounting to at least $144 million in weapons and ammunition during the first year of the Trump administration, indicates a significant expansion of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) firepower. This trend, reminiscent of post-9/11 bureaucratic growth, suggests a future where these agencies become increasingly armed and less constrained, effectively building a heavily-armed domestic police force.

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Kristi Noem Sued for ICE Surveillance of Protesters

Two legal observers have filed a lawsuit against the department and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, seeking an injunction to prevent the use of facial and license plate scanning technology against them. The observers claim agents scanned their information and issued threats, including being placed on a domestic terrorist watchlist, during their monitoring of ICE operations in Portland. The suit also references past incidents where federal agents allegedly harassed observers by visiting their homes and issuing warnings, underscoring concerns about intimidation tactics.

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DHS Subpoenas Hundreds for ICE Critic Identities Online

The Department of Homeland Security has reportedly issued hundreds of administrative subpoenas to major tech companies, seeking user information from accounts critical of ICE or that have shared agent locations. This increased use of administrative subpoenas, which differ from warrants and can be issued by DHS itself, has raised concerns about government surveillance and suppression of speech. While companies like Google and Meta review these requests and sometimes inform users, some have complied with the demands. The ACLU is challenging this practice, arguing that it’s being used to silence dissent.

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Courts Find ICE Illegally Jailed Thousands in Under Five Months

A Reuters investigation revealed that since October, over 4,400 judicial rulings have declared the detention of immigrants by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to be illegal. This surge in illegal detentions is occurring as ICE custody numbers have dramatically increased under President Trump’s “mass deportation” agenda. The pursuit of a high daily arrest quota has led to numerous immigrants being detained unlawfully, with thousands of habeas corpus petitions filed alleging constitutional violations. Despite court orders for release, ICE has frequently failed to comply, leading to ongoing concerns about systemic violations of the law by the agency.

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Homeland Security Targets Anti-ICE Social Media Accounts

In recent months, the Department of Homeland Security has significantly broadened its pursuit of individuals expressing dissent towards Immigration and Customs Enforcement. This expansion involves dispatching hundreds of administrative subpoenas to major tech companies, including Google, Meta, Reddit, and Discord. These legal requests aim to obtain personal data, such as names and contact information, linked to social media accounts that monitor or criticize the agency.

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Judge Dismisses Case Against Protester Accused of Assaulting Officer with Hat

A federal judge dismissed assault charges against a Los Angeles protester, Jonathon Redondo-Rosales, who had spent six months in jail, finding the government acted in “bad faith.” The judge’s ruling highlighted discrepancies in the government’s account of the incident, including conflicting statements about how the protester allegedly assaulted an officer with a cloth hat, and noted that Redondo-Rosales himself had documented injuries. The dismissal was a rebuke of the prosecution’s tactics, including attempts to dismiss the case without prejudice to gain a tactical advantage, which the judge characterized as potentially chilling lawful protest and amounting to prosecutorial harassment.

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ICE Violates Rights by Detaining Citizens Following Agents

It appears that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is intensifying its efforts to apprehend individuals who are following their vehicles, leading to a significant number of charges filed. This trend suggests a growing tension between the public and the government, with a sentiment that these actions might stem from dissatisfaction with current policies. The reality of these charges being dismissed in court is a recurring theme, implying a lack of legitimate legal basis for these arrests.

The underlying motivation behind these actions seems to be questioned, with some suggesting that the objective isn’t genuine law enforcement but rather a desire to weaponize federal agencies against political opponents.… Continue reading

Navy Contract Reveals US Military Building Massive Detention Camps

Following reports of immigration agents killing three US citizens, the Department of Homeland Security is expanding its mass detention capabilities. A previously reported $10 billion Navy contract for migrant detention centers has ballooned to $55 billion, repurposing funds for “Territorial Integrity of the United States” and creating a “ghost network” of facilities. This expedited funding mechanism allows for rapid deployment of self-contained cities capable of housing thousands, complete with infrastructure for sustained living and “Force Protection” equipment, sparking local backlash and protests nationwide.

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