Civil-Made ICE Tracking Tools Draw Intelligence Scrutiny Amid Protests

In response to forceful actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel, a wave of protests continues to expand across the United States. Many civilians have resorted to using digital tools developed at home to track ICE movements in real-time. However, classified government reports, accessed by the watchdog group Property of the People, reveal that intelligence agencies have started to view these tools as potential security risks. Moreover, it appears that a law enforcement investigation concerning these maps is in progress.

An internal alert, obtained only by WIRED, discloses that intelligence centers within the country are closely monitoring events related to the 'No Kings' protest, particularly in California. Analysts routinely circulate speculative threat analyses among agencies at federal, state, and local levels.

A notice issued from a regional fusion center in Vermont brings to attention various websites that provide interactive maps. These maps allow users to place markers indicating locations where interactions with ICE agents have occurred.

The bulletin references information originating from a US Army threat monitoring body known as ARTIC. Although acknowledging that most individuals using the maps are ordinary citizens trying to avoid federal agents, there is concern that 'malicious actors' might exploit these visibility tools to physically target law enforcement personnel.

Attempts by Property of the People to gain more insights using public records laws were met with resistance. The Northern California Regional Intelligence Center (NCRIC) disclosed that the details are part of ongoing law enforcement investigations.

Ryan Shapiro, the executive director of Property of the People, expressed skepticism about the law enforcement's warnings. He argues that transparency efforts are wrongly being equated to terrorism, stressing that the true threat lies within secretive militarized policing practices affecting communities.

The documents highlight data and maps hosted on various platforms like the website Padlet, which facilitates collaborative map creation. Another security notice, given by the Wisconsin Statewide Intelligence Center (WSIC) in February, signals these online maps as a ‘strategic threat,’ currently monitored by specific operations divisions.

While online threats against ICE agents, including calls for arming citizens and retaliating, are mentioned in the WSIC report, most messages appear to be venting frustration about stringent immigration policies. Despite this, intelligence officers flagged such communications as a safety concern due to their volume and nature.

One document pertains to an internal Division, restricting dissemination and discussion of its content beyond law enforcement personnel.

Another report, accessible to WIRED and dated mid-May, notes the Central California Intelligence Center (CCIC) observing coordinated efforts for future 'No Kings' demonstrations, identifying numerous locations of potential activity.

Although promoted as nonviolent, the protests prompt the agency to prepare more intelligence for 'threat liaison officers.' The report reiterates the CCIC’s alleged support for citizens’ rights to assemble and protest but justifies surveillance of First Amendment activities as crucial for public safety.

The demonstrations coincide with a military event in Washington, DC, displaying a significant military presence, including tanks and rockets, involving thousands of Army personnel.

Rallies have emerged nationwide, spurred by intense immigration enforcement under directives from the presidential administration. Some cities, including Los Angeles, have witnessed escalated tensions with law enforcement, sparking debates regarding the limits of governmental authority on immigration issues.

The coordinators behind the No Kings event project these gatherings as an expansive movement against authoritarian tendencies, asserting, 'From urban centers to smaller towns, civic spaces become grounds for rejecting suppressive governance, showcasing democratic values.'