"ICE's 'Capture it all' Memo Sparks Concern Over Protester Database"
Senator Edward J. Markey has demanded that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirm or deny the existence of a database listing US citizens who protest against ICE's immigration crackdowns. The request comes after reports emerged that a memo sent to ICE agents in Minneapolis instructed them to "capture all images, license plates, identifications, and general information on hotels, agitators, protestors, etc., so we can capture it all in one consolidated form."
Markey's letter described the directive as an "unacceptable" constitutional violation, likening the collection of personal data on protesters to tactics employed by authoritarian governments such as China and Russia. He urged ICE to shut down and delete any such database if it exists.
The senator's concerns were echoed by another recent incident in Portland, Maine, where a masked ICE agent told an observer that they were now considered a "domestic terrorist" after taking video of the agent's activity. Markey pointed out that DHS officials have repeatedly stated that the agency is engaged in efforts to monitor and intimidate individuals engaged in peaceful protests.
Markey's letter also called for details on the legal authority behind any such database, as well as descriptions of information collected and plans to create such a database. The senator also requested copies of similar memos instructing agents to collect personal data on protesters or bystanders.
ICE has not commented on Markey's letter, but the senator is planning to propose legislation to ban ICE's use of facial recognition technology after an incident in which her Global Entry and TSA PreCheck privileges were revoked.
Senator Edward J. Markey has demanded that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirm or deny the existence of a database listing US citizens who protest against ICE's immigration crackdowns. The request comes after reports emerged that a memo sent to ICE agents in Minneapolis instructed them to "capture all images, license plates, identifications, and general information on hotels, agitators, protestors, etc., so we can capture it all in one consolidated form."
Markey's letter described the directive as an "unacceptable" constitutional violation, likening the collection of personal data on protesters to tactics employed by authoritarian governments such as China and Russia. He urged ICE to shut down and delete any such database if it exists.
The senator's concerns were echoed by another recent incident in Portland, Maine, where a masked ICE agent told an observer that they were now considered a "domestic terrorist" after taking video of the agent's activity. Markey pointed out that DHS officials have repeatedly stated that the agency is engaged in efforts to monitor and intimidate individuals engaged in peaceful protests.
Markey's letter also called for details on the legal authority behind any such database, as well as descriptions of information collected and plans to create such a database. The senator also requested copies of similar memos instructing agents to collect personal data on protesters or bystanders.
ICE has not commented on Markey's letter, but the senator is planning to propose legislation to ban ICE's use of facial recognition technology after an incident in which her Global Entry and TSA PreCheck privileges were revoked.
. We're already living in a world where tech giants like Facebook and Google can collect our personal data without needing consent, now it seems like ICE wants to build its own database of US citizens who protest against them? That's just not right.
. We need more transparency and accountability from our government agencies, especially when it comes to collecting personal data.
. We deserve to know why ICE wants to collect this info, what laws they're using to do it, and what safeguards are in place to prevent abuse. And if a database does exist, it needs to be shut down ASAP 
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this just gets worse... so like, you're already getting these crazy memos telling agents to capture all info on protesters and now it seems like there might be a whole database of US citizens who protest against ICE's stuff... that's some serious 1984 vibes right there 
and i mean senator Markey is trying to hold them accountable but it feels like the powers that be just wanna keep collecting as much info as possible on anyone who speaks out 
meanwhile, we're still dealing with all this other drama about facial recognition tech... like what's next? 
! This is getting serious. What's next? They're gonna track our online activity too 
? Interesting 
.
. It's like, we have the right to free speech and peaceful assembly, but now it looks like those rights don't apply when you disagree with someone in power 
.
. I think we need to have a serious conversation about this ASAP 
...
. I mean, who needs a database of protester info? It sounds like they're tryin' to keep tabs on people exercisin' their right to free speech 
. And what's with the "domestic terrorist" label? Sounds like some surveillance state nonsense 
. You'd think they're tryin' to chill dissent or somethin'. Markey's right to be concerned, and I hope he gets to the bottom of this 
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I mean, what's next? They gonna start tracking our online activity too? 
where they track down dissidents and monitor every move we make 
They're tracking down people just because they're protesting... like, what's wrong with exercising your right to free speech? I remember when I was younger, we used to do protests all the time without worrying about our data being scraped. Now it feels like we're living in a dystopian novel. ICE needs to get its priorities straight and stop targeting innocent people who just want to make their voices heard. 
anyway, it's pretty fishy that there's even a memo telling agents to capture info on protesters. sounds like they're trying to intimidate people into not speaking out. and what's with the DHS folks saying protests are "intimidating"?? isn't that just a way to justify their own heavy-handed tactics? 
he's demandin they shut down the database & delete all info already gathered. like, wut's next? 
& btw, revokin ice agents privileges 4 tryna use facial recognition tech? that's straight up creepy