VIDEO: New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani Denounces ICE and the ongoing domestic terrorism that it continues to spread throughout the country:
https://youtube.com/shorts/5BYha9RnYFw?si=AAgApJiOsxE_AcA4
https://truthout.org/articles/ice-is-fast-tracking-a-nationwide-domestic-spy-program-across-dozens-of-cities/
News
Immigration
ICE Is Fast-Tracking a Nationwide Domestic Spy Program Across Dozens of Cities
The agency plans to contract with around 142 agents to take part in domestic spying operations.
by Chris Walker
October 15, 2026
Truthout
Federal agents walk near the scene where a man was shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer during an operation in the Bronx borough of New York on October 8, 2026.CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty Images
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is reportedly fast-tracking a program designed to expand its domestic surveillance capabilities in dozens of cities across the United States.
Details of the new spy program, entitled the Enforcement and Removal Operations Overwatch and National Security Enforcement, or ERO ONE, were published on a federal website in September. The American Prospect reported on ERO ONE earlier this week.
Around $100 million is expected to be allocated from the Department of Homeland Security to the program, which intends to contract 142 intelligence agents who will be placed in at least two dozen cities throughout the country. Those agents would coordinate with nearby ICE offices, as well as with a central hub located in Washington, D.C.
The published plan doesn’t specify what these agents will do while in the field, but it does indicate that they will analyze classified and nonclassified information to create “network, link, and relationship” analyses. Such research examines not only a specific person, but also their connections — including members of their household, extended family members, friends, and even acquaintances.
The government’s explainer of the program states that agents will “provide research, analysis, evaluation, reporting, coordination, and related intelligence support to ERO ONE headquarters and designated field locations.”
Related Story
News
Immigration
Rep. Delia Ramirez Introduces Landmark Bill to Abolish DHS, ICE, and CBP
The Department of Homeland Security was established in 2002 as part of the Bush administration’s “war on terror.”
by Sharon Zhang
October 13, 2026
Truthout
The document places some restrictions on ERO ONE agents, who will not be allowed to engage in actions such as “arrest, detention, search, seizure, interrogation, inspection, investigative, or other law enforcement authorities.” However, given that ICE agents have repeatedly overreached their own enforcement powers or blatantly lied to residents during enforcement operations, it’s not unreasonable to believe these restrictions could be ignored.
ICE has already expanded its domestic spying capabilities through facial recognition and mobile phone location data software, as well as artificial intelligence (AI) technologies as part of its mass deportation efforts. ICE has also used “zero-click” technology that allows the agency to access encrypted data on an individual’s phone by sending a link to the user that doesn’t require them to click it at all.
Critics warn the new program is not only set to target immigrants in the country, but could be the precipice of a new domestic surveillance paradigm.
“It looks dangerously like the construction of an internal spying agency,” Jay Stanley, senior policy analyst with the American Civil Liberties Union’s Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project, explained to The American Prospect. “It’s a nightmare in the making.”
https://zeteo.com/p/this-week-in-democracy-week-90-ice
This Week in Democracy
This Week in Democracy – Week 90: ICE Agent Posing as Construction Worker Shoots Man in New York
Zeteo’s weekly round-up, documenting the growth of authoritarianism in Trump’s second term.
Team Zeteo
October 9, 2026
People protest where a man was allegedly shot by an ICE officer on Oct. 8, 2026, in New York City. Photo by Ryan Murphy/Getty Images
The countdown is officially underway. We’re now just 25 days away from the U.S. midterm elections, which will be a test for a democracy that has been undermined, battered, and beaten since Donald Trump retook the White House less than two years ago.
This week in democracy saw revelations of more possible corruption, another ICE shooting, and racism at its purest form. Here’s just a taste of how Trump and his cronies harmed democracy, undermined the Constitution, and hurt Americans and societies worldwide over the last seven days:
Saturday, Oct. 3 – Talks to End War in Ukraine Include Oil Deal Tied to Trump Envoys
The New York Times reported that a multibillion-dollar oil deal has been discussed as part of the Trump administration’s negotiations with Russia to end its war in Ukraine.
The deal, which would cover oil fields, refineries, and gas stations owned by one of Russia’s biggest energy companies, is being sought by an arm of the U.S. government, a U.S. investor who donated $2 million to Trump-related causes, and two Middle Eastern investor groups with ties to Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner – the two main U.S. negotiators to end the war in Ukraine.
Sunday, Oct. 4 – On Her Last Day at DHS, Kristi Noem Secured Deal With Political Donor
The Times also reported that on Kristi Noem’s last day as Homeland Security secretary, the agency signed a multi-million-dollar agreement to buy five airplanes from a company whose owner had been one of Noem’s political donors. In a statement, Noem said “the purchase of these planes was not completed” during her tenure, but didn’t answer specific questions about the agreement.
The agreement, which saw the planes purchased at a substantial markup, came after the company’s chairman, William Walters, donated $10,000 to Noem’s PAC in 2024. During her time as Homeland Security secretary, the agency gave more than $900 million in contracts to companies led by Walters.
Monday, Oct. 5 – Trump Says He’ll Pay for Ads Himself, But Won’t Commit To Reimbursing Taxpayers
On Truth Social, Trump said he would pay for his campaign-style TV ads himself, “and with money I raised for MAGA, INC,” a pro-Trump super PAC.
Democrats, legal experts, and even some Trump officials have labeled the ads illegal, with some saying they could be an impeachable offense.
A day after Trump’s post, the White House said the super PAC isn’t planning to reimburse taxpayers for over $10 million the government had already spent on the ads, and Trump himself refused to commit to pay back the funds himself.
Tuesday, Oct. 6 – Whistleblower Reveals Trump Wanted Protesters Investigated By FBI
NBC News reported that the Trump administration ordered the FBI to investigate protesters engaging in anti-ICE demonstrations in Los Angeles last year, according to a whistleblower report from a former agency employee.
The complaint alleged that the investigations violated protesters' First Amendment rights to free speech and peaceful assembly and also went against FBI policy. While the whistleblower said there wasn’t sufficient evidence to justify the probe, she was told by a colleague that “the president wants this investigation.”
Senator Alex Padilla@SenAlexPadilla
BREAKING: My office received a whistleblower disclosure revealing Trump allegedly ordered the FBI to investigate and arrest protesters in Los Angeles who were criticizing the Administration’s mass deportation agenda.
Wednesday, Oct. 7 – ICE Reviewed Voter Records, Targeted Nonprofits
Democracy Docket reported that ICE obtained the voting records of tens of millions of U.S. citizens. The agency also investigated hundreds of nonprofit organizations across the country last year that help people register to vote, and considered deploying undercover agents as part of its probe.
The effort targeted nonprofits in Ohio, New Jersey, D.C., Minnesota, and Pennsylvania, including the latter’s state branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations – the country’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization.
Thursday, Oct. 8 – ICE Shoots Man in New York
In New York City, an ICE agent posing as a construction worker shot 28-year-old Oscar Belgal in the neck after firing seven rounds into his vehicle, while a 5-year-old was in the backseat. Wired later reported that the agent who shot Belgal has repeatedly been accused of unlawful arrests and excessive force, including tackling a pregnant woman to the ground, during arrests in New York and Minneapolis.
Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani@NYCMayor
This afternoon in Marble Hill, a New Yorker was shot by an ICE agent in a residential neighborhood. Early reports indicate agents surrounded him and a 5-year-old child in his car before firing multiple rounds. We believe the child was physically unharmed.
Meanwhile, Trump went on his latest racist tirade on Truth Social, disgustingly claiming that Somali immigrants have “taken over” Minnesota and urging residents to “fight back.” (Read more about Trump’s efforts to start a race war to win the midterms in Zeteo’s ‘First Draft.’)
Friday, Oct. 9 – Trump Renews Push to Fire Lisa Cook
Trump signed a presidential memo establishing a panel to investigate Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook over unproven allegations of mortgage fraud she has steadfastly denied. The panel will ultimately report to Trump on whether there is “cause” for her removal.
The latest push to fire Cook follows a Supreme Court ruling in June allowing her to continue in her position. The ruling, however, didn’t prevent Trump from attempting to remove Cook from her post again.
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