Observer threatened with domestic terrorist watchlist for recording ICE at Home Depot
Jan 21, 2026 · Portland, ME

Elinor Hilton, a Portland resident, was recording federal agents conducting an immigration enforcement operation at a Home Depot when agents captured her face and license plate with their phones. One agent told her, "I hope you know that if you keep coming to things like this, you are going to be on a domestic terrorist watchlist. Then we're going to come to your house later tonight." Fearful of the threat, Hilton did not stay at her home that night. She has since reduced how often she observes federal agents, now parking her car several blocks away from her home and family members' homes and leaving her personal phone at home when observing, fearing federal agents might recognize her car and detain her. She is a co-plaintiff in the federal class action lawsuit challenging DHS's surveillance and intimidation of observers.
Sources
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