A trove of classified documents obtained by journalist Ken Klippenstein has shed light on the vast and secretive network of Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) surveillance operations. The leaked files reveal 21 clandestine programs run by ICE, code-named Benchwarmer, Tidal Wave, Abracadabra, and others, which have resulted in the detention of at least 6,852 individuals since June.
The documents provide a glimpse into how ICE collects intelligence on immigrants and citizens. A nationwide operation, codenamed Abracadabra, was launched after the agency interviewed over 100% of those apprehended to gather information on potential targets such as stash houses and individuals engaging in illegal activities. The goal of this operation was to create a web of connections between all individuals accused of entering the country illegally, linking them to foreign terrorist organizations or transnational criminal groups.
In another operation, Benchwarmer, an estimated 2,000 "intelligence assets" have been deployed across the country. ICE officers are reportedly using plainclothes tactics to gather information that would not be normally obtained during formal interviews. The documents reveal that these agents are embedded in transport vans, processing areas, detention cells, and other sensitive locations to gather tactical intelligence.
The leaks come at a time of heightened tensions over ICE's conduct, with many calling for greater accountability following the death of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer and subsequent protests in Minneapolis. The public outcry has further strained relations between the American people and ICE, raising questions about the extent of its surveillance activities and the need for transparency.
The documents provide a glimpse into how ICE collects intelligence on immigrants and citizens. A nationwide operation, codenamed Abracadabra, was launched after the agency interviewed over 100% of those apprehended to gather information on potential targets such as stash houses and individuals engaging in illegal activities. The goal of this operation was to create a web of connections between all individuals accused of entering the country illegally, linking them to foreign terrorist organizations or transnational criminal groups.
In another operation, Benchwarmer, an estimated 2,000 "intelligence assets" have been deployed across the country. ICE officers are reportedly using plainclothes tactics to gather information that would not be normally obtained during formal interviews. The documents reveal that these agents are embedded in transport vans, processing areas, detention cells, and other sensitive locations to gather tactical intelligence.
The leaks come at a time of heightened tensions over ICE's conduct, with many calling for greater accountability following the death of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer and subsequent protests in Minneapolis. The public outcry has further strained relations between the American people and ICE, raising questions about the extent of its surveillance activities and the need for transparency.
like what if you just wanna travel to canada or somethin? why do they need all this intel? 
seems really scary that they got a whole network of these clandestine programs runnin under the radar... 6,852 people detained already is crazy 
and now theyre tryna link everyone together with foreign terrorist orgs or whatever 
its like, what's next?
. And these "intelligence assets" embedded in transport vans and detention cells? It's like they're trying to create a surveillance state for real 
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. We need to know what's really going on with our immigration system, not just have a bunch of classified docs hidden away 
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. They've got 21 secret programs goin' on, codenamed like "Tidal Wave" or whatever, and they're racking up some serious numbers - over 6,800 people detained since June alone 
. And get this, they even interviewed like, 100% of those apprehended to gather intel on potential targets... sounds fishy if you ask me 
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. They're embedded in vans, processing areas, detention cells... like, how far does this surveillance go? It's straight up creepy 
. And with all the protests and outrage over Renee Nicole Good's death at the hands of an ICE officer, I'm just worried that we're losin' control of our own borders 
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The fact that they're using plainclothes tactics and embedding agents in detention cells is just creepy. And what's with the code names like Benchwarmer and Abracadabra? Sounds like some bad spy novel. 
. It's like they say: "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." – Thomas Jefferson 
i'm so done with this government secrecy nonsense
, this is soooo worrying!!! 
The fact that they're just collecting intel on anyone they want, it's like they think we're all suspects or something! 
It's just not right, we need change! 