GoKawiilChicago-area police joined HSI surveillance of Minnesota anti-ICE activists
Newly released documents show a joint task force of 14 officers—six local Chicago-area police and eight Homeland Security Investigations agents—conducted undercover surveillance of an April 2 gathering of Minneapolis mutual aid organizers. The operation, detailed in an HSI report called 'Antifa Roadshow,' used undercover agents, electronic surveillance, license-plate readers and Chicago's CCTV network to identify attendees and tie them to other anti-ICE protests. The records emerged from the defense of 15 Minnesota activists facing federal conspiracy charges tied to resisting Operation Metro Surge.
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The documents suggest a level of coordination between local police departments and federal immigration enforcement that goes beyond routine policing, raising questions about whether local resources are being used to investigate political organizing rather than specific crimes. Critics quoted in the case materials argue this amounts to political repression of activists, though that characterization has not been confirmed by any court finding. The disclosure could intensify scrutiny from Chicago-area officials who have already been pressing for transparency about local-federal cooperation since Operation Midway Blitz.
- A 14-person task force combining Chicago-area police and HSI agents surveilled a Minneapolis activist gathering in April.
- Surveillance tools included undercover agents, license-plate readers, audio recordings and Chicago's CCTV network.
- The findings surfaced through the defense of 15 Minnesota activists facing federal charges from Operation Metro Surge.
Source: wired.com — Ali Winston, 2026-10-16
Published there as: “Chicago-Area Cops Helped HSI Spy on Minnesota Anti-ICE Activists”
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