US Customs Agency Illegally Targets Activists with Subpoenas, Warns Senator
Senator Ron Wyden has accused the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of abusing its customs law authority to unmask social media accounts tracking immigration authorities. This is not the first time DHS has used this power to silence critics.
The controversy centers around an attempt by the Trump administration to force Instagram and Facebook accounts monitoring immigration agents in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, to disclose their identities. The accounts, which track immigration authorities, are using social media platforms to raise awareness about issues related to immigration enforcement.
DHS is allegedly using its authority to investigate customs imports as a pretext for targeting these activists, rather than enforcing customs laws. This move has been condemned by Senator Wyden, who says that DHS appears to be "abusing" this authority to repress First Amendment protected speech.
In a letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, Senator Wyden asked the government to cease using this authority and to comply with statutory limitations on its use. He notes that CBP has a history of misusing this power to obtain records unrelated to import of merchandise or customs duties.
This is not an isolated incident. In 2017, The Intercept reported an attempt by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to reveal the identity of the operator of a Twitter account critical of President Donald Trump. CBP invoked its authority to investigate tariffs without explanation, but eventually rescinded its summons after public outcry and scrutiny from Senator Wyden.
The current controversy highlights concerns about the erosion of press freedom in the US and the use of government power to silence critics. The Intercept has been at the forefront of covering this issue, highlighting the need for a free and independent press to defend democracy.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how DHS will respond to Senator Wyden's concerns and whether the administration will respect the rights of activists to express themselves freely on social media.
Senator Ron Wyden has accused the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of abusing its customs law authority to unmask social media accounts tracking immigration authorities. This is not the first time DHS has used this power to silence critics.
The controversy centers around an attempt by the Trump administration to force Instagram and Facebook accounts monitoring immigration agents in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, to disclose their identities. The accounts, which track immigration authorities, are using social media platforms to raise awareness about issues related to immigration enforcement.
DHS is allegedly using its authority to investigate customs imports as a pretext for targeting these activists, rather than enforcing customs laws. This move has been condemned by Senator Wyden, who says that DHS appears to be "abusing" this authority to repress First Amendment protected speech.
In a letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, Senator Wyden asked the government to cease using this authority and to comply with statutory limitations on its use. He notes that CBP has a history of misusing this power to obtain records unrelated to import of merchandise or customs duties.
This is not an isolated incident. In 2017, The Intercept reported an attempt by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to reveal the identity of the operator of a Twitter account critical of President Donald Trump. CBP invoked its authority to investigate tariffs without explanation, but eventually rescinded its summons after public outcry and scrutiny from Senator Wyden.
The current controversy highlights concerns about the erosion of press freedom in the US and the use of government power to silence critics. The Intercept has been at the forefront of covering this issue, highlighting the need for a free and independent press to defend democracy.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how DHS will respond to Senator Wyden's concerns and whether the administration will respect the rights of activists to express themselves freely on social media.
I'm getting so worried about our freedom of speech in the US right now! As a parent, I want my kids to grow up in a country where they can express their opinions and beliefs without fear of retribution or persecution. It's alarming that the DHS is using its authority to silence critics and activists, especially when it comes to issues related to immigration enforcement.
I think this is a huge overreach of power and a threat to our democratic values. As parents, we want our kids to be informed citizens who can engage in constructive dialogue and advocate for their rights. But if they're being silenced by the government, then what's the point? 
I wish more people would speak out against this kind of abuse of power. We need to hold our elected officials accountable and demand that they respect the rights of all citizens, including those who may be critical of their policies. As a parent, it's heartbreaking to think that my kids might grow up in a country where they can't say what's on their minds without fear of reprisal. 
stuff going down with the Trump admin. I mean, come on, using customs law to silence people just because they're critical of the gov? It's like, hello, isn't that what we have freedom of speech for? 
They're basically saying "we don't want you talking about this, so we'll just track your online activity and shut down your accounts". That's not how it works. And now Senator Wyden is stepping up to say "hey, nope, not gonna let that happen". Let's keep an eye on this one, folks. This isn't the end of this story, I can feel it 
. But what's gonna happen when they don't get the memo? Are we just gonna sit back and let our rights get stripped away? It gives me chills thinking about it 
. it's not just about immigration agents, but also journalists & regular people like us who wanna speak out against injustice 
. we need strong voices like senator wyden to stand up 4 our rights & for press freedom 
This is super shady. I'm all for making sure our customs agency isn't using its power to silence critics, but come on... if you're gonna investigate something that has nothing to do with importing merchandise, shouldn't you be more transparent about it? 
senator wyden is right, they gotta stop this nonsense ASAP! 
This is a classic case of government overreach and it needs to stop ASAP! 
We need more transparency, not less, when it comes to our customs laws and how they're being used. The people have a right to know what's going on and who's behind the curtain pulling the strings 
. Let's keep holding our gov't accountable for their actions and fight for press freedom! 
It's like, if you're breaking some law, own up to it and follow the proper channels. Don't use a big ol' sledgehammer like this and try to silence people who are just trying to raise awareness 
. We've seen CBP trying to unmask Twitter accounts before, and now we're seeing this again with DHS 
. And to the activists who are being targeted... don't let this stop you 
. Keep using those social media platforms to spread awareness and fight for what's right 
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and they get it so wrong every time?! i mean, i ordered a vegan burger and they sent me this huge meaty thing instead 
. it's like they think we're all just gonna be like "oh cool, meat! thanks for the mistake!" nope, not cool at all 
i think it's super scary when gov starts tryna control what ppl say online cuz that's literally how free speech works right? 
It's like they think they can just waltz in there and start investigatin' people for no reason, just to get their hands on info that doesn't even relate to import duties! 
I'm so worried about the state of free speech in our country right now. It feels like everyone's getting a little too comfortable with using their power to silence others.