DHS Pressures Tech Firms to Identify ICE Critics

Subpoenas seek names, emails, and phone numbers of anonymous social media accounts

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The Department of Homeland Security has been issuing hundreds of administrative subpoenas to tech companies like Google, Reddit, Discord, and Meta, demanding the identities behind social media accounts that criticize or track Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The companies have complied with at least some of the requests, sparking lawsuits from civil liberties advocates who argue this represents a significant expansion of government surveillance powers.

Why it matters

This move by DHS raises concerns about the government's ability to unmask anonymous online critics and suppress free speech, especially around sensitive issues like immigration enforcement. Tech companies are caught in the middle, facing pressure to comply with subpoenas while also needing to protect user privacy and the right to dissent.

The details

The subpoenas, which do not require a judge's approval, have asked tech companies to provide names, email addresses, phone numbers, and other details tied to anonymous accounts that post critical commentary about ICE or share information about agents' locations. DHS claims this is part of an effort to protect ICE officers, but civil liberties advocates argue it represents an overreach of government power.

  • Over the past several months, the subpoenas have been issued to tech firms.
  • Late last month, Meta began blocking links to the ICEList website, which contained names of ICE and Border Patrol agents.

The players

Department of Homeland Security

The federal agency that has been issuing the subpoenas to tech companies, claiming broad authority to unmask anonymous online critics of ICE.

Steve Loney

An attorney with the ACLU of Pennsylvania who has represented users targeted by the DHS subpoenas, describing the practice as a "whole other level of frequency and lack of accountability."

Pam Bondi

The Attorney General named in a lawsuit filed by a free speech organization, which charges that she and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem are coercing tech companies to take down content critical of ICE.

Kristi Noem

The Department of Homeland Security Secretary named in the lawsuit filed by a free speech organization.

Jamie Raskin

A Democratic Representative who has asked the Justice Department for communication with Apple and Google about removing apps used to share sightings of ICE agents.

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What they’re saying

“The government is taking more liberties than they used to.”

— Steve Loney, ACLU of Pennsylvania attorney (New York Times)

“The government is taking more liberties than they used to.”

— Steve Loney, ACLU of Pennsylvania attorney (New York Times)

What’s next

The tech companies facing the subpoenas will have to decide whether to comply or challenge the requests in court, potentially setting up a legal battle over free speech and government surveillance powers.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing tension between the government's efforts to monitor and control online discourse, and the tech industry's responsibility to protect user privacy and the right to dissent. It raises important questions about the limits of government power and the role of technology platforms in safeguarding civil liberties.