Court Filings Detail ICE Surveillance of Activists in Minnesota

Fifteen Minnesota residents face federal conspiracy charges following the release of court documents detailing an extensive surveillance operation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The filings, reviewed by WIRED, outline how federal agents monitored left-wing activists and community organizers who were tracking the movements of immigration enforcement officers.

The operation, designated as Project Whipple Shield and Operation Puppet Master, relied on National Security Presidential Memorandum 7. This directive, issued after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, authorized federal agencies to investigate individuals and groups accused of advancing political violence or holding ideologies hostile to the administration.

Investigators deployed approximately 120 Homeland Security agents, including 11 undercover operatives. These agents attended marches, training sessions, and activist meetings in cities including Chicago, Seattle, and New York. They utilized drones, intercepted Signal messages, and accessed financial records and commercial databases to gather intelligence.

Prosecutors argue that the defendants formed a conspiracy during Operation Metro Surge in December to obstruct immigration enforcement. They contend that the activists created encrypted messaging groups and dispatch systems to stalk federal agents and commit assaults. Defense attorneys maintain that the charges vastly exceed the actual conduct alleged by the government.

Former federal officials and legal experts have compared the tactics to the FBI's COINTELPRO campaign from the 1950s. Spencer Reynolds, a former Department of Homeland Security attorney, stated that the surveillance apparatus operates alongside nationwide immigration raids. Mike German, a retired FBI agent, noted that the combination of communications, financial, and personal data allows for investigations that are potentially more sweeping than historical methods.

The case raises questions about the scope of federal power over political protest. Kevin Riach, a defense attorney in the Minnesota case, warned that the tactics resemble those of a domestic intelligence agency targeting political opponents. The filings suggest the investigation may extend beyond Minnesota, challenging the boundaries of how the government monitors citizens engaged in criticism of federal policy.