Social Media Platforms Receive DHS Orders to Identify Users Who Criticize ICE

Department of Homeland Security requests digital data

Google and Meta cooperate

ICE continues operations

According to AS, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is targeting social media users who criticize the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with companies such as Google, Meta, and Reddit cooperating.

The Department of Homeland Security is seeking access to the data of social media users who criticize ICE.

The agency is also attempting to identify individuals who share information about the location of immigration agents.

As recently revealed by The New York Times, DHS has sent hundreds of administrative subpoenas to various technology companies.

The goal is to obtain identifying data from certain accounts, including names, email addresses, and phone numbers.

The controversy surrounding the DHS subpoenashas raised concerns about privacy and government oversight.

DHS Administrative Subpoenas and Scope of the Requests

The report indicates that DHS has requested information from accounts that do not contain a real person’s name.

Administrative subpoenas allow the agency to demand data without filing criminal charges.

According to the newspaper, technology companies may choose whether or not to provide the requested information.

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However, companies state that they review government requests before complying.

Some firms typically notify affected users when the government requests their data.

Government officials and tech industry employees told The New York Times, under condition of anonymity, that in recent months Google, Reddit, Discord, and Meta have received hundreds of legal requests from DHS.

Google, Meta, and Reddit Comply With Some Requests

DHS subpoenas sent to social media platforms – PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

Officials said that Google, Meta, and Reddit have complied with some of the requests submitted by DHS.

“When we receive a subpoena, our review process is designed to protect user privacy while also meeting our legal obligations. We notify users when their accounts have been subpoenaed, unless there is a court order prohibiting it or in exceptional circumstances. We review all legal demands and reject those that are overly broad,” a Google spokesperson told The New York Times in a statement.

Meta, Reddit, and Discord declined to comment on the matter.

Some of the cases in which DHS sought account information have reached the courts.

In those proceedings, DHS attorneys argued that they are seeking the information to ensure the safety of ICE agents in the field.

The debate over DHS subpoenas social media users continues to evolve as legal challenges move forward.

DHS Funding and Political Negotiations

DHS subpoenas sent to social media platforms – PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

Shortly after The New York Times report about the legal tools used by the agency, DHS shut down due to lack of funding.

Following the absence of an agreement between the White House and Democratic lawmakers, the department’s funding officially expired at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.

The situation left thousands of federal employees across multiple agencies without pay, although they are still required to report to work.

However, ICE operations and those of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) continue.

Both agencies remain operational thanks to the multibillion-dollar budget they received last year under legislation known as “One Big Beautiful Bill.”

The Donald Trump administration and Democrats are continuing negotiations to reach a new funding agreement for DHS.

Democrats are pushing for specific demands, including requiring immigration agents to wear visible identification.

They are also proposing that agents obtain judicial warrants to enter private property and stop covering their faces during operations.

The Trump administration supports the use of face coverings, arguing that it is a protective measure for agents.

As the political standoff persists, the issue of DHS subpoenas remains at the center of a broader debate over national security, civil liberties, and digital privacy.