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Social worker scanned and labeled domestic terrorist for recording ICE operation

Jan 23, 2026 · Portland, ME

Social worker scanned and labeled domestic terrorist for recording ICE operation

Colleen Fagan, a social worker, was observing an immigration enforcement operation at an apartment complex in Portland, Maine when federal agents scanned her face with a smartphone and recorded her car license plate. When she asked why they were taking her information, an agent told her, "Cause we have a nice little database. And now you're considered a domestic terrorist." Her video of the exchange went viral. Fagan is now a plaintiff in a federal class action lawsuit arguing that DHS unconstitutionally retaliates against people who lawfully observe and record immigration enforcement by gathering their personal information and labeling them domestic terrorists. She is concerned about being placed on a "no-fly" list and worries her employment could be affected.

Timeline

Feb 24, 2026Fagan and Hilton filed a federal class action lawsuit against DHS and ICE challenging the collection and maintenance of data about people who lawfully observe immigration enforcement operations as a violation of the First Amendment
Jan 23, 2026Colleen Fagan observed an immigration enforcement operation at an apartment complex; federal agents scanned her face with a smartphone, recorded her car license plate, and told her she was being added to a domestic terrorist database
Jan 21, 2026Elinor Hilton, a Portland resident observing an immigration enforcement operation at a Home Depot, was approached by ICE agents who scanned her face, recorded her license plate, and told her they were putting her on a domestic terrorist watch list

Sources

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