DHS Labeled Immigration Observers as "Domestic Terrorists" and Collected Their Biometrics

NPR
February 23, 2026
11 views
1 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

DHS labeled civilian observers of ICE operations as "domestic terrorists" and collected their biometric data.

How This Affects You

Your right to observe government actions and your free speech could be threatened, as DHS collected biometrics of peaceful observers.

AI Summary

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reportedly labeled civilian observers monitoring ICE operations in Maine as "domestic terrorists" and collected their biometric data. According to an NPR report, these observers had their photographs and identifying details taken by DHS agents. The individuals have since filed a lawsuit, asserting that these actions infringe upon their constitutional rights to free speech and assembly. This incident highlights a concerning escalation in how the government treats civilian oversight of law enforcement activities. The outcome of the lawsuit could set an important precedent for civil liberties and government accountability.

What's Being Done

Individuals have filed a lawsuit asserting infringement upon their constitutional rights.

Source Coverage Map

4 of 43 tracked sources covered this story

Overlooked Story
9% coverage
Did Not Cover (39)
ICIJ97AP World News96AP US News96AP Top News96ProPublica95+34 more

Following this story?

Get notified when new coverage appears

Other Sources Covering This Story

3 sources

Multiple outlets have reported on this story. Compare perspectives from different sources.

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

Federal immigration agents sent to U.S. airports to support security during budget impasse
Government Transparency

Federal immigration agents sent to U.S. airports to support security during budget impasse

Federal immigration agents newly ordered to U.S. airports by President Donald Trump to help relieve security line congestion may guard exit lanes or check passenger IDs as the DHS budget impasse continues.

PBS NewsHourMar 22
"We're making people hurt": Democrats adopt new tactic to win DHS shutdown fight
Politics

"We're making people hurt": Democrats adopt new tactic to win DHS shutdown fight

<p>House Democrats are launching a Hail Mary push to effectively end the Department of Homeland Security's <a href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2026/03/11/dhs-shutdown-funding-deal-katie-britt-alabama" target="_blank">now month-long shutdown</a> by funding all of its sub-agencies except ICE and Customs and Border Protection.</p><p><strong>Why it matters: </strong>Democrats are feeling the heat as <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/12/tsa-dhs-shutdown-airports-donations" target="_blank">federal workers miss paychecks</a> and DHS <a href="https://www.dhs.gov/news/2026/03/17/spring-break-under-siege-democrats-reckless-dhs-shutdown-forcing-tsa-officers-work" target="_blank">warns of airport closures</a>. They hope their planned discharge petition will, at the very least, deflect blame onto Republicans.</p><hr><ul><li>Many lawmakers also question whether keeping the agency shut down is meaningfully incentivizing the White House to negotiate in good faith on immigration enf...

AxiosMar 17
States seek to unmask federal immigration agents — and their own police - AP News
Government Transparency

States seek to unmask federal immigration agents — and their own police - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMioAFBVV95cUxQaG9JSVBSbXMzbEZYS1RnSzdWa1JDVlgya2ZnT1lrWkIyQVV1MU9ZUnpCWXJHWmV0c3Fyellkd19fb2lvVG5oeS1oaU9YTlllaTJTYTJDVGVBZkR2RWZJLTNBUl9Wc2RpVjNBUkNZanJrU2lPRmZ2eUxFVndQckliRHRIR1diZjU5SzR1UmhkRDhMOTRpcUtNSWpncGdKTURH?oc=5" target="_blank">States seek to unmask federal immigration agents — and their own police</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsMar 19
How hatred of Jews became a common ground for Islamic terrorists and left-wing extremists, fueling domestic terrorism
Civil Rights

How hatred of Jews became a common ground for Islamic terrorists and left-wing extremists, fueling domestic terrorism

Geopolitical violence abroad translates into homegrown threats in the US and Canada. Recent antisemitic attacks show how the Jewish community is a target of those threats.

The ConversationMar 18
Reader Q&A: post your questions for US immigration reporter Maanvi Singh
Civil Rights

Reader Q&A: post your questions for US immigration reporter Maanvi Singh

<p>The Guardian’s Maanvi Singh has been on the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/31/a-week-on-the-block-where-alex-pretti-was-killed">frontline</a> of the Trump administration’s brutal ICE crackdown. Post your questions about what it’s been like to cover this stark moment in American history.</p><p>The unprecedented occupation of American cities by a bulked up Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has led to a series of shocking scenes over the past 12 months, including the killing of Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal officials in Minneapolis. It has also led to an incredible community response as people <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/01/minnesota-twin-cities-ice-protests">banded together to protect their neighbours</a>.</p><p>Guardian US immigration reporter Maanvi Singh has spent the past few months covering this story, including spending <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/31/a-week-on-the-block-where-alex-prett...

The Guardian US NewsMar 19
Democrats brush off latest DHS counteroffer from White House: ‘Wholly inadequate’
Politics

Democrats brush off latest DHS counteroffer from White House: ‘Wholly inadequate’

Democrats on Wednesday sharply criticized the White House’s latest counter-proposal aimed at ending the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown, arguing that it falls short of sufficiently addressing their concerns about the administration’s immigration crackdown. The counterproposal, outlined in a letter by border czar Tom Homan and White House legislative affairs director James Braid, is…

The HillMar 18
Read Next
Red-state speech laws pose an existential threat to academic freedom
Civil Rights

Red-state speech laws pose an existential threat to academic freedom

If courts accept the views advanced by Florida and Indiana, legislators could dictate what faculty may say in public university classrooms.

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources