DHS Subpoenas Tech Giants to Unmask Anti-ICE Accounts

Demands for user data spark free speech fight over anonymous criticism of immigration enforcement

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has issued administrative subpoenas to major tech companies including Google, Meta, Reddit and Discord, seeking to identify individuals behind social media accounts that are critical of Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations. The move has drawn alarm from civil liberties advocates who argue the government is overstepping constitutional protections for anonymous speech.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between the government's efforts to monitor and control online criticism of its immigration enforcement activities, and the First Amendment rights of individuals to engage in anonymous political speech and protest. The outcome could have significant implications for the scope of executive authority and the ability of citizens to voice dissent without fear of retaliation.

The details

According to court filings, DHS claims the subpoenas are intended to "investigate threats to its own officers or impediments to their officers." Unlike traditional warrants, the administrative subpoenas can be authorized internally and served directly on companies, bypassing court review. Some companies have complied, while others have notified affected account holders, giving them the opportunity to challenge the orders in court. One targeted account, Montco Community Watch, posts alerts about ICE activity, and the ACLU filed suit to block enforcement of the subpoena related to that account, leading DHS to withdraw it.

  • The subpoena campaign coincides with broader enforcement tensions, with federal agents reportedly informing anti-ICE protesters in Minneapolis and other cities that they are being recorded and identified.
  • In 2017, during the Trump administration, a similar dispute occurred when Twitter sued to block an administrative subpoena aimed at identifying a user critical of the administration, which was ultimately dropped following public backlash.

The players

DHS

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which has issued the administrative subpoenas to tech companies.

Montco Community Watch

A targeted social media account that posts bilingual alerts about ICE activity in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

ACLU

The American Civil Liberties Union, which filed suit in federal court seeking to block enforcement of the subpoena related to the Montco Community Watch account.

Steve Loney

Senior supervising attorney at ACLU Pennsylvania, who stated that the government is taking more liberties and there is a lack of accountability.

Tom Homan

White House border czar, who has discussed creating a database of individuals arrested for interfering with ICE and Border Patrol operations.

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What they’re saying

“If you are here illegally, self-deportation is the best, safest and most cost-effective way to leave the United States to avoid arrest.”

— Kristi Noem, DHS Secretary (Business Times)

“The government is taking more liberties than they used to. It's a whole other level of frequency and lack of accountability.”

— Steve Loney, Senior supervising attorney at ACLU Pennsylvania (Business Times)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide whether to block enforcement of the subpoenas, which could have significant implications for the scope of executive authority and the ability of citizens to engage in anonymous political speech.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tension between the government's efforts to monitor and control online criticism of its immigration enforcement activities, and the constitutional protections for anonymous speech and political dissent. The outcome could set an important precedent for the limits of executive power and the rights of citizens to voice their opposition without fear of retaliation.