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A citizen movement is growing in several cities across the United States alongside the tightening of immigration policy under President Donald Trump: activists who track ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) operations in real time to alert Latino communities about raids and arrests.
Although the White House threatens to prosecute them, legal experts argue that this surveillance is protected by the Constitution.
In Los Angeles, Francisco "Chavo" Romero and a group of activists gather at dawn near an ICE concentration area. From there, they track the agents in both official and unofficial vehicles, sending alerts through social media.
"With minimal resources, we have been able to confront, challenge, and expose a state apparatus worth billions of dollars that abducts our people," Romero from the immigrant rights group Unión del Barrio told Reuters.
It is not an isolated phenomenon.
In Austin, Texas, a tech worker created ICEBlock, an app that allows users to report sightings of agents, and it has already surpassed one million users. In Long Island, New York, the child of immigrants founded a group that operates a similar app, used by about 80,000 people.
In both cases, the reports are verified before community alerts are disseminated.
Citizen surveillance is increasing at the same time that Trump secures a budget of $75 billion for ICE until 2029, with the goal of multiplying deportations.
Its officials insist that those who track and alert about the operations are "helping criminals."
Abigail Jackson, spokesperson for the White House, stated to Reuters that "interfering with federal law enforcement is a crime" and that those who use these applications to "commit crimes" will be prosecuted.
On the other hand, legal experts consulted by Reuters assert the contrary: recording or following public officials in open spaces is legal, but -they clarify- only as long as it does not interfere with their work.
"If activists record ICE and reveal to people where they are with the intention of helping them avoid ICE (...), that is where the situation potentially becomes dangerous," explained Sophia Cope, a lawyer for the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
Even so, officials from the Trump administration are issuing warnings.
The Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, stated that she is working with the Department of Justice to analyze potential charges against the creator of ICEBlock and the developers of similar applications.
"If you obstruct or attack our law enforcement, we will pursue you and you will be prosecuted...", Noem stated to Reuters.
Meanwhile, in various communities, apps have become tools for everyday defense.
Ahmad Pérez, the activist from Long Island, explains that his project aims to protect innocent families.
"We all want gang members to leave our communities, but ICE is detaining people with no criminal records, sometimes citizens, and expelling them as if they were packages," he questioned.
The phenomenon reveals the gap between a government that invests billions in mass deportations and citizens who, with minimal resources, seek to protect their neighbors.
For many, the attempt to criminalize this civil surveillance is nothing more than another front in the politics of fear that characterizes Trumpism: a state with almost unlimited power that feels threatened by citizens armed solely with cell phones and applications.
Frequently Asked Questions about ICE Raids and the ICEBlock App
What is ICEBlock and how does it work?
ICEBlock is a mobile application designed to alert users about the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents near their location. It allows for real-time reporting of sightings, and reports are automatically deleted after four hours to ensure continuous updates of the information. The app aims to protect migrant communities from unwanted encounters with immigration authorities.
Is it legal to monitor and report on ICE operations?
Yes, according to legal experts, recording or following public officials in open spaces is legal as long as it does not directly interfere with their work, which is protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. However, the Trump administration threatens to prosecute those who physically interfere with operations.
What is the Trump administration's stance on apps that alert users about ICE?
The Trump administration believes that these applications are "helping criminals" and has issued warnings against the developers and users of these tools, arguing that they interfere with law enforcement. Despite this, legal experts maintain that citizen surveillance is protected by the Constitution.
How has Trump's immigration policy affected Latino communities in the U.S.?
The immigration policy of Trump has created a climate of panic and anxiety among Latino communities, impacting their daily lives and the economy of businesses that rely on immigrant workers. Raids and mass deportations have caused many individuals to avoid leaving their homes, affecting key sectors such as agriculture and healthcare.
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