Homeland Security Seeks to Unmask Anti-ICE Social Media Accounts

Department sends subpoenas to tech companies for user data on critical accounts

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The Department of Homeland Security has been sending hundreds of administrative subpoenas to tech companies like Google, Meta, Reddit, and Discord, demanding they provide identifying information on social media accounts that have criticized Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or shared the locations of ICE agents. While the companies can choose whether to comply, some have notified account owners and given them the chance to challenge the subpoenas in court.

Why it matters

This effort by the Department of Homeland Security raises concerns about government overreach and the targeting of free speech critical of law enforcement agencies. It highlights the tension between national security priorities and civil liberties, as the government seeks to identify and potentially take action against individuals expressing dissent online.

The details

The subpoenas have asked for names, email addresses, phone numbers and other identifying details behind anonymous social media accounts that have tracked or criticized ICE. While the tech companies can choose whether to provide the information, some have notified account owners and given them a chance to fight the subpoenas in court. The ACLU has represented individuals whose account information was sought and argues the government is taking 'more liberties than they used to' in using this legal tool.

  • In recent months, the Department of Homeland Security has sent hundreds of administrative subpoenas to tech companies.
  • In September 2025, the department sent subpoenas to Meta regarding Instagram accounts posting about ICE raids in California.
  • On September 11, 2025, the department sent a request to Meta for identifying information on the Montco Community Watch Facebook and Instagram accounts that track ICE activity in Pennsylvania.
  • On October 3, 2025, Meta notified the Montco Community Watch accounts of the government's request.
  • On January 14, 2026, the ACLU argued in court that the government was using administrative subpoenas to target speech it disagreed with, and two days later the subpoena was withdrawn.

The players

Department of Homeland Security

The U.S. federal department responsible for public security, including immigration enforcement through Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Steve Loney

A senior supervising attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) who has represented individuals whose social media account information was sought by the Department of Homeland Security.

Sarah Balkissoon

A Department of Justice lawyer representing the government in a court case regarding the Department of Homeland Security's subpoena of the Montco Community Watch social media accounts.

Montco Community Watch

A set of Facebook and Instagram accounts that post in Spanish and English about sightings of ICE agents in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, and solicit tips from their roughly 10,000 followers.

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What they’re saying

“The Department of Homeland Security's position was that it was 'within their power to investigate threats to its own officers or impediments to their officers'.”

— Sarah Balkissoon, Department of Justice Lawyer

What’s next

The ACLU's challenge to the Department of Homeland Security's subpoena of the Montco Community Watch accounts was successful, with the subpoena being withdrawn. However, the department may continue to use this tactic to try to unmask other social media accounts critical of ICE, leading to further legal battles over free speech and government surveillance.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing tension between the government's national security priorities and the protection of civil liberties, as federal agencies seek to identify and potentially take action against individuals expressing dissent online. It underscores the need for robust legal safeguards and oversight to prevent the abuse of administrative tools like subpoenas to target free speech.