Newly leaked documents have exposed the extensive surveillance operations carried out by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These documents, published by journalist Ken Klippenstein, reveal details about various secret programs that gather intelligence on both immigrants and citizens. The information was provided by a Border Patrol official who expressed their outrage over the agency’s practices.
Details of the Operations
The leaked files outline 21 ICE operations with names such as Benchwarmer, Tidal Wave, and Abracadabra. Since June, these initiatives have led to the apprehension of at least 6,852 individuals and have involved thousands of ICE officers and assets. One notable operation, Abracadabra, initiated after ICE interviewed every person apprehended, aimed to gather intelligence to identify potential targets, including stash houses and individuals engaged in illegal activities.
According to one document, the operation seeks to link every person crossing the border illegally to either a Foreign Terrorist Organization or a Transnational Criminal Organization. This approach has raised concerns about the implications for civil liberties and the treatment of individuals apprehended by ICE.
Methods of Intelligence Gathering
In the ongoing Operation Benchwarmer, approximately 2,000 intelligence assets have been deployed throughout the country. The documents indicate that ICE officers are operating in plainclothes to covertly collect information that may not be available during formal interviews. These undercover agents have reportedly been stationed in transport vans, processing areas, and detention cells.
One document related to Operation Benchwarmer notes, “Plainclothes agents have been embedded in transport vans, sally ports, processing areas, and detention cells to gather important tactical intelligence.” This strategy reflects a significant shift in the agency’s approach to intelligence gathering, prioritizing covert operations over traditional methods.
The release of these documents comes amidst escalating tensions regarding ICE’s practices in the United States. The recent killing of Renee Nicole Good by ICE officer Jonathan Ross has sparked widespread protests and intensified scrutiny of the agency’s enforcement tactics, particularly in areas like Minneapolis.
As public concern grows, calls for ICE to adopt less aggressive tactics are becoming more pronounced. Advocacy groups and community leaders are urging the agency to reconsider its operational strategies, particularly in light of the backlash from recent incidents. These developments highlight the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement and the balance between security and civil rights.
