By Steve Neavling
The developer of StopICE.net asked a federal court Thursday to block a Department of Homeland Security subpoena seeking information about social media accounts that identified a Border Patrol agent involved in recent immigration raids in Los Angeles, Intercept reports.
Lawyers for the Civil Liberties Defense Center filed the motion in San Francisco on behalf of the site’s creator, who uses the pseudonym “John Doe.” The filing argues DHS acted “without lawful authority” and that turning over account details would “compromise the exercise of Doe’s fundamental rights.”
“This is a patent, open attempt to chill free speech critical of the government,” said Matthew Kellegrew, an attorney for the group.
The subpoena was sent to Meta, the parent company of Instagram, days after StopICE.net and allied groups posted photos of a Border Patrol agent identified by a badge reading “G. Simeon.” DHS cited “officer safety” concerns and asked for subscriber names, emails, and phone numbers tied to multiple accounts.
Meta confirmed receiving the subpoena but did not say what information, if any, it provided. CBP did not respond to questions about the filing.
StopICE.net’s developer, identified in other contexts as Sherman Austin, called the move “completely retaliatory” and an effort to intimidate.
“They are trying to paint the false picture that reporting on ICE activity is somehow related to criminal activity, when it’s not,” he said.
Other groups tagged in the Simeon post, including Long Beach Rapid Response, said they also plan to challenge the subpoena.
