In February, observers filmed ICE agents in Minneapolis. A recent lawsuit contends that the federal government seeks to intimidate those monitoring immigration enforcement.
Michael Khalili, a Minneapolis resident, documented federal immigration officers’ activities around the Twin Cities after a surge of operations last winter. He emphasized how bystander videos countered false information spread by Trump administration officials about fellow observer Alex Pretti, who was accused of being a domestic terrorist before being fatally shot by federal officers. “The truth emerged because people were documenting,” Khalili stated.
Despite adhering to the law, Khalili experienced pressure from his family to cease following ICE due to repeated confrontations with federal officers. They photographed him and warned him to stop. After one such incident in March, Khalili’s Global Entry status was revoked, though it was later reinstated following media inquiries.
In May, a state trooper threatened Khalili with harassment charges. Shortly after 15 activists in Minnesota were charged with conspiracy, including following ICE vehicles, Khalili decided to stop due to his wife’s concerns for their family’s safety.
Now, Khalili, alongside Common Cause, has filed a federal lawsuit accusing multiple agencies of violating First Amendment and privacy rights. The lawsuit demands an end to federal intimidation of observers and argues that the right to hold the government accountable is fundamental to democracy.
Maryam Jazini Dorcheh from Common Cause expressed concern over efforts to criminalize peaceful observation, stating this lawfare obstructs political participation. NPR has reported similar encounters where observers face threats for monitoring ICE activities across states like Minnesota, Maine, and California.
NPR’s attempts to gather responses from DHS and DOJ were unsuccessful. The FBI declined to comment. In the lawsuit, Common Cause details cases of their members facing aggressive measures from federal officers, including harassment and surveillance.
The suit references Trump administration directives like NSPM-7, which link immigration enforcement obstruction to domestic terrorism, arguing these policies have fueled retaliatory acts against observers. It also cites the dismantling of DHS’s Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Office as exacerbating the situation.
Federal retaliation allegedly involves threats, accumulating personal information, and enforcing punitive measures like administrative subpoenas.
Khalili supports the lawsuit, hoping his documented experiences might prevent more severe consequences for others. He discovered his vehicle registration has been queried multiple times by law enforcement since he began observing, a detail included in the lawsuit. Despite getting his Global Entry reinstated, he believes he’s flagged by federal authorities.
While returning from a family trip to Ireland, Khalili was subjected to extra questioning by U.S. immigration. He seeks systemic changes to ensure a more accountable and transparent enforcement environment, indicating a desire to observe only when absolutely necessary.
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