DHS surveillance in Minnesota targeted progressive groups and unions

DHS surveillance Minnesota immigration crackdown Operation Puppet Master labor union subpoenas First Amendment rights

Court filings reveal that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) conducted extensive undercover surveillance operations in Minnesota targeting progressive groups, labor unions, and activists. These operations, including ‘Operation Puppet Master’ and ‘Project Whipple Shield,’ were launched during a federal immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities.

According to defense attorney Kevin Riach, federal agents infiltrated meetings at churches, schools, libraries, and parks to monitor discussions regarding constitutionally protected protests. The investigations involved the use of undercover officers, the infiltration of private group chats, and the compilation of dossiers on individuals attending informational meetings.

Additionally, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) subpoenaed several years of financial records from organizations such as the Sunrise Movement, the Communications Workers of America, and the Service Employees International Union. These actions were part of a probe into potential funding for what officials described as ‘violent opportunists and agitators.’ The surveillance surfaced in connection with a case involving 15 individuals charged with conspiring to impede federal immigration operations.

Entities

Communications Workers of America · Department of Homeland Security · Direct Action Minnesota · Homeland Security Investigations · Kevin Riach · Minneapolis Federation of Educators · Sunrise Movement

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 2 SOURCES] Federal agents compiled dossiers on individuals attending informational meetings. www.kaaltv.com · www.albertleatribune.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The Sunrise Movement and Communications Workers of America were among the groups targeted by subpoenas. www.ibtimes.co.uk · www.albertleatribune.com
[● 8 SOURCES] The DHS surveillance operations were unfounded and violated privacy rights. www.kaaltv.com · mymotherlode.com · srnnews.com · www.albertleatribune.com · kstp.com · +3 more
[● 8 SOURCES] The DHS launched Operation Puppet Master on January 28. www.kaaltv.com · www.albertleatribune.com · kstp.com · mymotherlode.com · srnnews.com · +3 more
[● 4 SOURCES] Federal agents subpoenaed financial records from labor unions and climate groups. www.kaaltv.com · www.ibtimes.co.uk · www.albertleatribune.com · kstp.com
[● 8 SOURCES] HSI conducted a second investigation called Project Whipple Shield. www.kaaltv.com · www.albertleatribune.com · kstp.com · mymotherlode.com · srnnews.com · +3 more
[● 8 SOURCES] DHS agents infiltrated meetings at churches, schools, libraries, and parks. www.kaaltv.com · mymotherlode.com · srnnews.com · www.albertleatribune.com · kstp.com · +3 more
[● 8 SOURCES] Federal prosecutors charged 15 people in June for allegedly impeding immigration enforcement. www.kaaltv.com · mymotherlode.com · srnnews.com · www.ibtimes.co.uk · kstp.com · +3 more