Additional Coverage:
Meta Removes Facebook Group Allegedly Targeting ICE Agents in Chicago
Chicago, IL – Social media giant Meta has taken down a large Facebook group that the Department of Justice (DOJ) alleges was being used to harass Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents operating in Chicago. Attorney General Pamela Bondi announced the removal on Tuesday, citing concerns over the sharing of personal information about federal officers.
The group was reportedly “doxing” ICE agents deployed to the city as part of a nationwide crackdown on illegal immigration initiated by President Donald Trump. Attorney General Bondi stated on X (formerly Twitter) that the action was taken “following outreach from @thejusticedept” and was necessary due to a “surge in online threats against law enforcement.”
“The wave of violence against ICE has been driven by online apps and social media campaigns designed to put ICE officers at risk just for doing their jobs,” Bondi wrote. She further added, “The Department of Justice will continue engaging tech companies to eliminate platforms where radicals can incite imminent violence against federal law enforcement.”
While Bondi did not provide specific examples of incidents linked to the Facebook group, Meta confirmed the removal to FOX Business, stating that “this group was removed for violating our policies against coordinated harm.” Meta’s “Coordinating Harm and Promoting Crime” policy prohibits users from engaging in “certain criminal or harmful activities targeted at people, businesses, property or animals.” The policy clarifies that while debate on such activities is permitted, advocating for or coordinating harm is not.
This latest move follows similar actions taken earlier this month when Apple and Google removed apps that crowdsourced ICE sightings, also under pressure from the Trump administration. ICEBlock, a prominent ICE-tracking app, was pulled from Apple’s app store on October 2nd at the DOJ’s request. Bondi had previously stated that such apps allowed individuals to shield undocumented immigrants while simultaneously endangering federal officers.
The administration has warned that developers of these tracking apps could face prosecution for interfering with federal operations, arguing that these digital platforms contribute to hostility towards federal agents.
In Chicago, where approximately 200 ICE officers have been deployed, tensions have reportedly escalated, leading to violent clashes with protesters. Both Chicago’s Democratic Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois’ Democratic Governor JB Pritzker have publicly expressed their opposition to the increased federal presence in the city.