DHS goes after social media users who criticize ICE: Google, Meta, and Reddit collaborate

The New York Times recently reported that the agency has issued hundreds of administrative subpoenas to various companies in an effort to obtain identifying information tied to certain accounts, including names, email addresses, and phone numbers. DHS has specifically requested information on accounts that do not display a real person’s name.

Social media platforms working with DHS

According to the report, technology companies can choose whether or not to provide the requested information, but they say the government requests are reviewed before complying. Some companies also notify affected users when the government seeks access to their data.

Several government officials and tech industry employees, speaking to The New York Times on condition of anonymity, said that in recent months, Google, Reddit, Discord, and Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, have received hundreds of legal requests from DHS. Government officials stated that Google, Meta, and Reddit have complied with some of those requests.

“When we receive a subpoena, our review process is designed to protect user privacy while meeting our legal obligations. We inform users when their accounts have been subpoenaed, unless under legal order not to or in an exceptional circumstance. We review every legal demand and push back against those that are overbroad,” a Google spokesperson said in a statement to The New York Times. Meta, Reddit, and Discord declined to comment.

Some cases involving individuals whose social media account information was requested by DHS have made their way to court. Attorneys for the Department of Homeland Security argued that they are seeking this information to ensure the safety of ICE agents operating in the field.

Shortly after The New York Times reported on the legal tools used by DHS, the agency shut down due to a lapse in funding. After the White House and Democratic lawmakers failed to reach an agreement, DHS funding officially expired at 12:01 a.m. Saturday. As a result, thousands of federal employees across multiple agencies were left without pay, though they were still required to report to work.

However, operations at ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) continue, thanks to the multibillion-dollar budget allocated to them last year under the law known as the “One Big, Beautiful Bill.”

The Trump administration and Democrats are currently negotiating to reach an agreement to fund DHS. Democrats are pushing for several demands to be met, including requiring immigration agents to wear visible identification, obtain warrants before entering private property, and refrain from covering their faces during operations. The Trump administration supports allowing agents to cover their faces, arguing that it is a necessary safety measure.

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