Homeland Security Surveillance of ICE Protesters Documented

Records indicate that over the past year, agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have engaged in surveillance of protesters, including scanning their faces, photographing license plates, and collecting DNA samples. The agency has not disclosed how or where this information is stored. During the Trump administration, concerns have been raised regarding the use of surveillance technologies against critics of the administration, with some individuals claiming they have been labeled as 'domestic terrorists' by ICE agents. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has denied maintaining a database of protesters but has acknowledged the need to investigate individuals who may engage in criminal activities during protests. A report from July 2025 reveals that at least two officers from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) collected information from individuals attending protests, including vehicle and social media data. This report raises questions about the agency's surveillance practices and the implications for First Amendment rights. The report also highlights the use of Evidence.com, a digital evidence management platform, to log license plate information of protesters, marking a notable instance of law enforcement surveillance of political activities.