The US asks technology companies to hand over the data of users who criticize ICE actions

Published at: 17/02/2026 02:25 PM

The United States Department of Security presented a new plan that includes identifying people who criticize or disseminate information about the actions of the immigration and customs agency (ICE).

ICE operations in different states have generated citizen rejection, following complaints of deaths due to excessive use of force, disproportionate arrests and questioned protocols, which even led Congress to discuss the possibility of suspending its funding.

As a result of these criticisms, which have intensified on social networks and messaging platforms, the Department of Security sent subpoenas to technology companies such as Google, Reddit, Discord and Meta (operator of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp), requesting personal data from users who have expressed critical positions.

In response, the companies notified those affected of the government request, giving them 10 days to two weeks to challenge the lawsuit in court. So far, none of these requests have been submitted, although the platforms mentioned are the ones that have received the most citations.

This fact, as reported by Telesur, comes after the partial shutdown of the US government, caused by the lack of consensus in Congress to approve funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Tension intensified after three events: the murder of Renee Good, the death of nurse Alex Pretti and the arrest of the five-year-old boy Liam Conejo Ramos, all linked to ICE operations.

The legislative disagreement arose because Democrats and a group of Republicans pushed for an exclusive proposal for the Department of Security. Among the proposed measures were the prohibition of the use of balaclavas by ICE agents, the obligation to wear body cameras in every operation and the creation of accountability regulations to monitor their actions. Proposal that was not approved by everyone.

While the federal government remains in partial paralysis, ICE operations continue to proceed normally. The arrests of immigrants have even been shared on their official Instagram account, where the charges against each person arrested are publicly displayed.

Mazo News Team