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Original Date Announced
December 1, 2020BuzzFeed reports that on Dec. 1, 2020, ICE Office of Professional Responsibility issued a subpoena to BuzzFeed requesting sources of leaked emails that ICE attorneys sent in relation to "a fast-track deportation program and plans to fine certain undocumented immigrants."
[ID #1221]
Effective Date
December 1, 2020Subsequent Trump-Era and Court Action(s)
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December 9, 2020
The Trump Administration Has Backed Down From Its Subpoena Demanding BuzzFeed News Divulge Its Sources
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said that ICE would not enforce a subpoena demanding BuzzFeed News identify its sources.
Go to article on buzzfeednews.com
Biden Administration Action: Revoked/Replaced
June 13, 2022Use of Compulsory Investigative Tools to Obtain Information or Records Related to the Journalistic Activities of Members of the News Media
This Directive establishes ICE policy regarding the application of compulsory investigative tools with respect to members of the news media. This policy is intended to ensure that ICE’s law enforcement activities do not improperly or unnecessarily impinge on the newsgathering activities of members of the news media. It is not intended to provide members of the news media who are subjects or targets of criminal investigations for conduct not based on their journalistic activities with any special protections, nor is it intended to hinder the ability of ICE officers and agents to engage with known members of news media to seek the voluntary production of information or records.
View DocumentCurrent Status
Not in effectMost Recent Action
June 13, 2022 Action: Revoked/Replaced Use of Compulsory Investigative Tools to Obtain Information or Records Related to the Journalistic Activities of Members of the News MediaJune 13, 2022Acted on by Biden Administration
Original Trump Policy Status
Trump Administration Action: Change in PracticeSubject Matter: EnforcementAgencies Affected: ICEAssociated or Derivative Policies
Documents
Trump-Era Policy Documents
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Commentary
Original Source:
ICE Is Trying To Force BuzzFeed News To Divulge Its Sources
Commentary
2020.12.04
From the article: "The subpoena, issued on Dec. 1 by an agent with the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility, concerns emails sent to ICE attorneys on a fast-track deportation program and plans to fine certain undocumented immigrants. It demands that BuzzFeed News “provide all documentation including, but not limited to: (1) date of receipt, (2) method of receipt, (3) source of document, and (4) contact information for the source of the document.”
The subpoena states that BuzzFeed News should produce the records to an ICE agent in Virginia by Dec. 22.
“Failure to comply with this summons will render you liable to proceedings in a U.S. District Court to enforce compliance with this summons as well as other sanctions,” the document sent to BuzzFeed News reads. “You are requested not to disclose the existence of this summons for an indefinite period of time. Any such disclosure will impede this investigation and thereby interfere with the enforcement of federal law.”"
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