Lawsuit Alleges DHS Targeted Immigration Observers and Protesters with Surveillance and Retaliation
A federal lawsuit filed in the Southern District of California alleges that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) illegally used facial recognition technology, license plate readers, and other surveillance tools to identify individuals observing and protesting immigration enforcement actions during the Trump administration. The plaintiffs, including three individuals and the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), claim DHS retaliated against them by revoking their TSA PreCheck and Global Entry trusted traveler status. The suit cites incidents in Minneapolis where two observers were killed by federal agents, and describes a pattern of agents following observers to their homes, a practice Minnesotans call 'driven home by ICE.' The complaint argues DHS violated the First Amendment, federal privacy law, and the Administrative Procedure Act by removing its 2023 facial recognition policy without proper process. A CBP spokesperson denied that trusted traveler status is revoked for exercising First Amendment rights, citing criminal activity or failure to demonstrate low-risk status as reasons.
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