FBI memo reveals monitoring of online chats by immigration court watchers in New York City.
An FBI memo indicating that “anarchist violent extremist actors” are focusing their attention on law enforcement has raised significant concerns regarding governmental monitoring of political activities. This document, released under the Freedom of Information Act to a watchdog organization, details information shared from a private text message group that involved immigration court observers, identified as a “sensitive source with excellent access.”
Entitled a “joint situational information report,” the memo references a May 2025 group chat among immigration court watchers. Some allegations outlined in the report claim that activists have engaged in collecting photographs and videos of law enforcement personnel. Furthermore, it was suggested that they have been distributing instructions regarding access to immigration courtrooms—activities that are both legal and constitutionally protected. Coverage of these findings was initially reported by a major news outlet.
The memo claims that discussions within the “courtwatch” group chat also provided guidance on navigation through federal courtrooms, capturing significant legal ambiguities surrounding the surveillance of such actions. In light of these revelations, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander openly criticized the apparent monitoring, labeling it an “egregious violation of Constitutional rights.” Lander remarked that court observing constitutes peaceful, lawful activity, contrasting it starkly with the tactics reportedly employed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Despite the memo’s header suggesting collaboration with the New York Police Department (NYPD), a spokesperson for the NYPD clarified that this is not a document produced by their agency. According to the NYPD, the information pertains to a broader counterterrorism investigation concerning various possible criminal activities, including violence against law enforcement and property damage. The investigation was reportedly vetted by a monitor established under the 1985 Handschu consent decree, which restrains NYPD surveillance of political groups.
The executive director of the organization Property of the People, which acquired the memo, emphasized that the evidence clearly establishes NYPD’s involvement in the surveillance of peaceful immigration activists. The FBI’s New York office, in response, maintained that while they do not confirm or deny the existence of intelligence bulletins, they consistently share information with law enforcement to preemptively address potential threats to public safety.
In recent months, Lander has become a prominent figure amid protests against the Trump administration’s immigration policies. He faced legal challenges in June and September, highlighting ongoing tensions between lawmakers, activists, and federal law enforcement. Despite these challenges, Lander asserted that recent shifts in enforcement tactics by ICE have created barriers to effectively supporting migrants during their court proceedings. The outreach efforts made by advocates are hindered when individuals are taken off the streets rather than during scheduled court appearances, making it increasingly difficult to assist those in need.
