Meta Removes Facebook Page Tracking ICE Agents Following DOJ Request
Meta confirmed Tuesday it removed a Facebook group used to track the location of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Chicago following a request from the Department of Justice (DOJ).
attorney General Pam Bondi announced the removal on X, stating the action followed “outreach” from the DOJ regarding a “large group page” used to target ICE officials. Meta stated the group violated its policies against “coordinated harm.”
The removal of the Chicago-based group is the latest instance of tech companies restricting tools used to monitor ICE activity. Earlier this month, Apple and Google blocked downloads of mobile applications that alerted users to the presence of immigration agents, responding to a demand from the Trump governance to take down a popular iPhone app.
Bondi has argued that tracking ICE agents poses a risk to their safety. Though, users and developers of these tracking tools maintain it is indeed their First Amendment right to document ICE activity in their communities, and that many utilize the platforms to enhance their own safety amid increased immigration enforcement.
Despite the removal of the Chicago group, dozens of similar pages, some with thousands of members, remained active on Facebook as of Tuesday evening.
