DHS's Fishing Expedition: When Surveillance Becomes a Habit The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been using customs summonses to surveil and intimidate critics of the government.
Court filings in a lawsuit against 39 individuals who attended an ICE protest in Minneapolis reveal that DHS agents have sent out 92 subpoenas, including one to REI, requesting information on customers who purchased a specific dark green beanie in the Minneapolis area.
The irony is not lost that this particular beanie has become a focal point for government scrutiny. But what's more concerning is the lack of transparency and oversight surrounding these customs summonses.