Defense attorneys argue Homeland Security's secret surveillance of Minnesota activists violated First Amendment rights.
Defense attorneys for 15 Minnesotans accused of conspiracy to impede federal agents argue that Homeland Security's extensive surveillance during Operation Metro Surge was overly broad. Court documents reveal that agents used administrative subpoenas to collect financial records from various labor unions and social justice organizations, such as the Sunrise Movement, without a specific criminal predicate. Undercover agents infiltrated meetings and used facial recognition software to compile dossiers on activists. While HSI agent Desmond Garcia maintained that every individual investigated had a criminal predicate, the defense argued the government sought to manufacture a basis for prosecution where no crimes were committed. The investigation was prompted by a memorandum from President Trump, which expanded the definition of domestic terrorism to include actions that hinder immigration enforcement. The defense is currently seeking a wide range of documents, including undercover agent communications and facial recognition reports, to determine the full scope of the government's surveillance efforts.