DHS Probed Unions, Climate Group Amid Minnesota Immigration Protests

The Department of Homeland Security in St. Paul carried out a wide-ranging probe in early 2026 of left-leaning activist groups and labor unions tied to Minnesota immigration protests, using administrative subpoenas and undercover monitoring.^[1]

Investigators used administrative subpoenas to obtain more than three years of financial records from the Sunrise Movement and the Communications Workers of America.^[1] Internal documents show investigators also scrutinized three years of wire transfers by the Service Employees International Union in an inquiry labeled "domestic terrorist financing." New York Times Undercover DHS agents monitored organizers at online meetings and in public spaces including libraries, parks and churches, recording statements, names and sometimes license plate numbers.^[1] Agents infiltrated encrypted Signal group chats where activists discussed upcoming demonstrations and political views, even though many targets were never accused of crimes.^[1]

Four days after Alex Pretti was killed in late January 2026 while filming federal immigration officers in Minnesota, DHS opened the St. Paul investigation that focused on left-leaning groups rather than the agents involved.^[1] The records seized covered periods that extended beyond the timeframe of the Minnesota unrest.^[1]

The disclosures have broadened scrutiny of how DHS gathers domestic intelligence and which kinds of political activity it treats as a threat, a debate likely to draw attention from lawmakers and civil liberties groups.

1. New York Times