Under mounting pressure from the Trump administration, Facebook and its subsidiary, Instagram, removed a page used to track Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in July 2018. The page, operated by the activist group Metta, had published the names, photos, and duty stations of ICE personnel, sparking outrage from law enforcement officials and condemnation from the White House. The removal followed direct appeals from then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Department of Homeland security officials who argued the page posed a significant security risk to agents and their families.
The takedown reflects a broader debate over the role of social media platforms in policing content related to law enforcement and public safety. Metta maintained the page was intended to provide openness regarding ICE’s activities and hold agents accountable for their actions, particularly considering the administration’s “zero tolerance” policy toward illegal immigration wich led to family separations at the U.S.-Mexico border.However, critics argued the page facilitated harassment and potential violence against ICE employees. Following the removal, Metta also deleted a seperate page dedicated to tracking border Patrol agents.
