US spied on anti-ICE protesters
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The gist
DHS spied on anti-ICE protesters and leftwing groups in Minnesota. The surveillance targeted lawful dissent, raising civil liberties concerns.
Background
The surveillance occurred during Operation Metro Surge, a federal immigration enforcement crackdown in Minnesota earlier this year. The operation was launched after the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, and targeted groups opposing ICE, including labor unions, the Sunrise Movement, and socialist collectives. The records were disclosed in court filings by defense attorneys for 15 anti-ICE protesters charged with conspiracy.
How it unfolded
- Jan 2026DHS launched 'Operation Puppet Master' to identify a 'network of conspirators' organizing against ICE, days after federal agents killed Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.
- Feb 2026A DHS report indicated the agency was looking into people providing 'material support to violent opportunists and agitators'.
- Aug 13, 2026Court filings revealed the extent of the surveillance, including undercover agents infiltrating meetings, using Clearview AI, and obtaining financial records of unions and nonprofits.
Who’s saying what
- Defense
- Lawyers argue the surveillance and prosecutions are politically motivated, citing selective prosecution and the government's 'unprecedented campaign to spy on Minnesotans'.
- Prosecution
- Prosecutors have not publicly commented, but the charges allege conspiracy to impede ICE, and they hold 20 terabytes of data.
Still unverified
The existence and details of 'Project Keyhole' are mentioned but not explained in the documents. Claims of entrapment by undercover agents are from defense filings and not independently confirmed.