FBI Spied on Immigration Activists’ Signal Chat: Report Reveals Surveillance Tactics
The FBI spied on a private Signal group chat of immigrants’ rights activists who were organizing “courtwatch” efforts in New York City. Law enforcement records show the FBI gained access to a Signal group coordinating volunteers monitoring federal immigration court proceedings and labeled the court watchers as “anarchist violent extremist actors.” The FBI’s report, which did not clarify how they accessed the group or provide evidence of the “extremist” claims, was shared with other law enforcement agencies. Critics have condemned the surveillance, noting the non-violent nature of courtwatch efforts and likening the actions to past FBI overreach.
John Q. Hosedrinker