Intelligence Agencies Monitor ICE Tracking & “No Kings” Protests

As nationwide protests surge in response to aggressive Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions, citizen-led initiatives to track ICE activity are drawing scrutiny from U.S. intelligence agencies. Documents obtained by Property of the People, a non-profit watchdog, reveal that these agencies are monitoring civilian-created ICE tracking tools, perceiving them as potential threats. Simultaneously, intelligence centers are keeping a close watch on “No Kings” protest activities, particularly in California.

The concerns stem from interactive maps and online platforms where users share real-time information about ICE arrests and raids. A bulletin from a Vermont-based regional fusion center, relying on data from the Army threat monitoring center (ARTIC), highlights websites where users can “pin” ICE encounters. While acknowledging that most users are civilians seeking to avoid ICE, the bulletin suggests “malicious actors” could exploit these tools to target law enforcement.

Property of the People sought further details about these maps, but the Northern California Regional Intelligence Center (NCRIC) stated the information was linked to active law enforcement investigations. Ryan Shapiro, Executive Director of Property of the People, argues, “Transparency is not terrorism. The real security threat is militarized secret police invading our communities.”

The monitored platforms include Reddit and Padlet, where users collaborate on interactive maps. The Wisconsin Statewide Intelligence Center (WSIC) issued an “OPSEC” warning, deeming these sites a “strategic threat” under special operations division monitoring. WSIC’s report also noted online threats against ICE officers, citing social media posts advocating weapon stockpiling. While many posts reflected outrage over immigration enforcement, analysts flagged the volume and tone as an officer safety concern.

A mid-May report indicates that the Central California Intelligence Center (CCIC) is monitoring the upcoming “No Kings” protests across multiple locations. While acknowledging the protests are promoted as nonviolent, the agency plans to produce intelligence reports for “threat liaison officers,” emphasizing the need to gather intelligence on “First Amendment-protected activities” to ensure public safety.

These protests are concurrent with a large military parade in Washington, D.C., adding to the already heightened tensions. Demonstrations in response to the immigration crackdown and federal troop deployment reflect concerns about authoritarianism, surveillance, and the use of military force in civil unrest.

The “No Kings” organizers describe the demonstrations as a nationwide act of defiance, rejecting authoritarianism and showcasing democracy. The increasing surveillance of both ICE tracking initiatives and protest activities raises significant questions about civil liberties and government oversight.

Key Takeaways:

• Intelligence agencies are monitoring civilian-created ICE tracking tools, viewing them as potential threats.
• “No Kings” protest activities, particularly in California, are also under close watch.
• Concerns stem from interactive maps and online platforms sharing real-time ICE encounter information.
• Critics argue transparency is not terrorism and highlight the real threat of militarized policing.
• The surveillance raises concerns about civil liberties and government oversight.

Topics: Immigration, Protests, Surveillance, Military, Politics, Privacy, Homeland Security, Freedom of Information Act

By Dell Cameron and Dhruv Mehrotra