From Politico: A federal judge raised doubts about the Trump administration’s attempt to unmask the identity of an anonymous Instagram account that has been warning about immigration raids in Pennsylvania.
Federal Magistrate Judge Peter Kang of the Northern District of California appeared skeptical of the government’s arguments during an hourlong hearing Wednesday that it has the authority to use a provision originally intended for customs violations to subpoena Meta for the Montco Community Watch’s personal information.
The account was created last June to post alerts about sightings of ICE agents and arrests in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. The Department of Homeland Security sent a subpoena to Meta in September seeking information on the account owner’s name, email address, phone number and IP addresses.
The government said the information was needed for an investigation into a “serious threat to law enforcement officer safety,” and noted language in the statute saying it was applicable to any laws or regulations administered by Homeland Security Investigations, not just customs violations.
The Instagram account repeatedly posts locations, addresses and maps where immigration agents are seen at work.
A description on the account reads, “Monitoring ICE activity in MontCo, PA. Sharing info & resources to help protect immigrant rights, due process, and the humanity of our neighbors.”
One post in July of last year reads:
If you see ICE activity in Southeastern PA, call the Rapid Response number for your county immediately. When reporting, remember the SALUTE acronym:
S – Size: How many agents or vehicles?
A – Activity: What are they doing?
L – Location: Exact address, cross streets, landmarks.
U – Unit: Are they marked as ICE or impersonating local police?
T – Time: When did you see it?
E – Equipment: Vehicles, weapons, tools they’re using.Document what you can safely. Photos and videos help—but your eyes and words are just as powerful. Every detail matters. Every call brings visibility and protection.
A recent post warns, “ICE is patrolling our streets looking for vulnerable people and those who fit their stereotype.”
READ MORE from Politico.
Judge skeptical of DHS push to ID anonymous accounts documenting ICE https://t.co/QNnzmoysU8
— POLITICO (@politico) January 15, 2026
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