The controversy centers on **DHS** agents' alleged practices during "**Operation Catch of the Day**," an immigration enforcement surge in Maine this past January. A proposed class action lawsuit, filed in federal court in Maine by observers **Elinor Hilton**, **Colleen Fagan**, **Polyxenia Pantos**, and **Carlyn Williams**, details how agents allegedly intimidated protestors and observers. ### Targeting Observers with ICM The court filing, heavily reliant on government documents and agent depositions, highlights the actions of a **DHS** agent identified as "Agent J.C." According to the plaintiffs, J.C. utilized the **ICM** database – the case management system used by **ICE**'s **Homeland Security Investigations** (**HSI**) – to flag observers. J.C. reportedly created **ICM** records for at least six, possibly eight, observers. He labeled individuals filmed at a Home Depot parking lot as "Threat to Law Enforcement, Professional Protestor" and used facial recognition software via the **Mobile Query** app to identify them through **US Customs and Border Protection** (**CBP**) officers. ### Data Collection and Intimidation Tactics In one specific incident on January 20, after **Pantos** briefly photographed an arrest in Portland, Maine, J.C. allegedly ran the license plate of her spouse's car, registered to **Williams**. This led to a report from **Accurint**, a **LexisNexis** database for law enforcement, revealing **Williams**' address, phone numbers, and cohabitants. J.C. then reportedly circulated her photo to his team and subsequently added the individuals to **ICM**. The filing further alleges that J.C. called **Williams**, identifying himself only as "the **Department of Homeland Security**," and warned her that her spouse "might get added to a domestic terrorism watchlist" if they continued such activities. While J.C. denied referencing a "domestic terrorism watchlist" in his deposition, he testified to warning **Williams** she would be arrested if she continued. ### The Role of Palantir's ICM Database **ICM** is the system used by **HSI** agents to create and track case files. **ICE** awarded **Palantir** the contract to build **ICM** in 2014, customizing it using **Palantir**'s **Gotham** software. A 2016 **DHS** privacy assessment indicates that **ICM** automatically shares subject records with **CBP**’s **TECS system**, where they function as "lookout records" for border screening. **Palantir** did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the allegations. **ICE** has continued to invest in the system, awarding **Palantir** a new five-year **ICM** support contract in 2022, valued at approximately $96 million, with an additional nearly $30 million added in 2025 for a new platform called "**ImmigrationOS**." ### Official Response and Legal Arguments A **DHS** spokesperson has dismissed the case as “meritless” and stated that the lawsuit is based on the "lie that there is a database of ‘domestic terrorists’ run by **DHS**.” Todd Lyons, former acting director of **ICE**, previously affirmed in an April letter that **ICE** "does not maintain any kind of database of U.S. citizens protesting **ICE** activities." **DHS**’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit argues that these were isolated incidents and that **DHS** policy prohibits such conduct. It asserts that J.C. created records on individuals he believed to be “potential threats to law enforcement” and “did not attempt to nominate any individuals to the terrorist watchlist.” However, attorneys for the observers contend that **DHS**'s actions have had a chilling effect on their First Amendment rights. The lawsuit seeks to have **Williams**' records archived, to bar **DHS** from using collected information against the plaintiffs, and to prohibit agents in Maine from threatening observers with watchlists or following them to their homes.