The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has significantly increased its use of administrative subpoenas to compel technology companies to provide information about users critical of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to a report published Thursday by The New York Times. The practice, which involves seeking data on accounts that lack readily available identifying information and either criticize ICE or reveal the locations of its agents, has grown substantially in recent months, with hundreds of subpoenas issued to Google, Reddit, Discord, and Meta.
The escalation in DHS’s use of these subpoenas – which do not require judicial approval – comes as the agency faces scrutiny over its enforcement tactics. A recent case in Minneapolis, where ICE agents fatally shot Renee Nicole Good last month, has fueled criticism and prompted calls for reform. Democrats in Congress are considering a partial government shutdown in an attempt to force changes within the department, though Republicans have pointed out that ICE operations would likely continue even if DHS funding lapses, due to a $75 billion allocation from the “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act” passed in 2025.
Google, Meta, and Reddit have reportedly complied with at least some of the subpoenas. Google stated it informs users when possible and challenges those it deems “overbroad.”
This isn’t the first instance of DHS seeking user data from tech companies. Earlier, five cases emerged where Homeland Security sought to identify owners of anonymous Instagram accounts, withdrawing subpoenas after lawsuits were filed. DHS previously defended itself against reporting by The New York Times, asserting that the newspaper’s reporting on the agency targeting U.S. Citizens during ICE operations was false and misleading.
According to a report from USA Today, Todd Lyons, ICE’s acting director, acknowledged to lawmakers on February 12th that a potential government shutdown would impact personnel actions and the agency’s civilian workforce, but confirmed that ICE operations would not be critically impacted. Representative Mark Amodei, R-Nevada, stated during a congressional hearing that immigration enforcement operations would continue even during a shutdown, while other DHS functions, such as those performed by the Transportation Security Administration, Coast Guard, and Federal Emergency Management Agency, would likely be disrupted.
The Justice Department, in contrast to DHS, possesses established mechanisms for transparency and accountability, according to an opinion piece published in The New York Times on January 30, 2026.
