Anti-ICE Signal chat links members to AG Keith Ellison’s office to report feds in Minnesota

Ellison’s office launched an online form inviting Minnesotans to report the “impacts of federal actions,” including activity by the Department of Homeland Security. The portal allows users to submit narratives, photos, and videos documenting encounters or perceived harms connected to federal enforcement.

https://twitter.com/camhigby/status/2016242470414164274?s=20

According to journalist Cam Higby, who has infiltrated activist Signal chats, these chats are used to monitor ICE operations in Minneapolis, within a “legal help” channel.

The form from Ellison’s office states that it is for "reporting incidents or effects related to or caused by recent federal actions in Minnesota, including but not limited to: violations of constitutional rights (racial profiling, excessive force, retaliation against protestors, observers, and media), business closures, reduced healthcare access, reduced education access, other issues impacting public safety and civil liberties, federal funding cuts, federal grant terminations, terms and conditions tied to federal program participation, other administrative actions by Federal agencies."

Ellison has taken an aggressive public stance against federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota, including filing a lawsuit, alongside Minneapolis and Saint Paul, seeking to block what he described as an unprecedented surge of DHS agents into the state. Ellison has also been present at protests near the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis, a main site of protests against ICE activity, which have often turned violent.

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that the bureau has opened an investigation into the Signal group chats used by Minnesota agitators to share information about immigration agents’ movements.

Patel told Fox News host Sean Hannity that the investigation aims to determine whether participants are placing federal agents “in harm’s way,” including by sharing license plate numbers, locations, or other identifying details. He emphasized that the FBI is not targeting peaceful protest or protected speech, but would pursue cases involving incitement, threats, or other violations of federal law.

According to accounts from inside the Signal groups, activists organized themselves into “shifts.” Some searched for vehicles believed to be used by federal agents, others acted as “plate checkers” to confirm information, and “commuters” were dispatched to follow vehicles and protest their presence. In some cases, the vehicles turned out not to belong to law enforcement. The chats reportedly included up to 1,000 participants in a single thread, with dozens on live calls coordinating activity.

Patel has stressed that the investigation is narrowly focused on whether laws were broken, not on suppressing political expression. He noted that standard investigative tools, including subpoenas and grand jury proceedings, would be used to determine if anyone incited violence or otherwise endangered law enforcement.