ICE subpoenas BuzzFeed, demands journalists reveal sources | Immigration Policy Tracking Project

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Original Date Announced
December 1, 2020
BuzzFeed reports that on Dec. 1, 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, 2020
Subsequent Trump-Era and Court Action(s)
- 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 it would not enforce a subpoena demanding BuzzFeed News identify its sources, a retreat from its earlier attempt to interfere with a news outlet operating under the protections of the First Amendment.
  Go to article on buzzfeednews.com

Current Status

Fully in Effect

Original Trump Policy Status

Status: Reported

Trump Administration Action: Change in Practice

Subject Matter: Enforcement

Agencies Affected: ICE

Associated or Derivative Policies

June 19, 2018 ICE uses civil fines to target people in sanctuary
July 23, 2019 DHS designates new categories of migrants for expanded expedited removal to cover persons inside the US more than 100 miles from border
October 21, 2020 ICE implements expanded scope for expedited removal

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.”"
Go to article

Trump-Era Policy Documents

Commentary

Original Source:

ICE Is Trying To Force BuzzFeed News To Divulge Its Sources

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