Activist groups that previously focused on identifying members of extremist movements are now turning their attention to federal immigration enforcement, publicly naming officers involved in arrests and protest responses as tensions escalate over immigration operations in Minneapolis and other cities.
The shift has followed a series of confrontations between protesters and federal agents conducting immigration enforcement actions. In one incident last week, video footage showed a U.S. Border Patrol agent spraying pepper spray at close range into the face of a protester who was already pinned to the ground by multiple officers. The incident occurred during demonstrations against a federal immigration operation known as Operation Metro Surge.
Within hours of the video circulating online, a group calling itself the Pacific Antifascist Research Collective publicly claimed it had identified the agent involved. The group distributed digital flyers featuring the officer’s name and photograph, encouraging people to share them online and post them publicly in Minneapolis neighborhoods.
The collective did not disclose how it identified the agent but said it follows internal verification standards to avoid misidentification. The group describes itself as an independent research organization focused on identifying individuals it considers responsible for political violence or abuses of power.
Activists associated with the group say federal immigration agents increasingly conceal their identities during operations, often wearing masks, and argue that anonymity enables misconduct. They say public identification is intended to hold agents accountable for their actions, not to incite violence.
One activist involved in research efforts, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, said immigration agents should not be able to act anonymously while carrying out enforcement actions that involve detentions and removals. The activist described the effort as a continuation of past campaigns that sought to expose individuals engaged in extremist or abusive conduct.
Federal immigration enforcement has expanded significantly in recent years. According to government data, tens of thousands of people are currently held in U.S. immigration detention facilities nationwide, the highest number on record. Advocacy groups and former detainees have raised concerns about conditions in these facilities, alleging medical neglect, abuse, and inadequate oversight.
In 2025, more than 30 people died while in immigration detention, according to publicly available records. Several deaths have already been reported in 2026, including one that authorities later classified as a homicide. Federal officials dispute claims that detention facilities are unsafe, stating that detainee welfare remains a priority.
Public opposition to immigration enforcement agencies has grown in some parts of the country. Polling indicates rising support for limiting or abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as well as opposition to agents wearing masks during operations.
Some state lawmakers have attempted to address concerns through legislation that would require federal agents to display identification and prohibit face coverings during enforcement actions. These measures have faced legal challenges, and their future remains uncertain.
Outside of legislative efforts, independent online platforms have emerged that solicit tips about the identities of immigration officers. Supporters argue that these efforts increase transparency, while critics warn they could endanger law enforcement personnel and their families.
Federal officials have responded by warning that identifying officers online may violate federal law. The Department of Homeland Security has said it will pursue prosecutions in cases where personal information is disclosed with intent to threaten or intimidate agents. In recent months, several individuals have been charged in connection with livestreaming or sharing identifying details of federal officers.
The Justice Department has instructed federal prosecutors to prioritize cases involving interference with immigration enforcement or disclosure of officers’ personal information. Officials have also increased intelligence gathering related to activist networks involved in such activities.
Despite these warnings, activist groups say they intend to continue identifying agents involved in enforcement actions they view as abusive. They argue that naming officers is a form of political accountability and note that similar tactics have been used historically to expose individuals involved in organized violence or civil rights abuses.
In Minneapolis, the Department of Homeland Security did not dispute the identity of the agent named by the Pacific Antifascist Research Collective in the pepper spray incident. In a statement, a DHS spokesperson said the officer’s actions were part of crowd control measures and claimed agents faced hostility from demonstrators. The department did not provide evidence supporting that claim.
The officer later made social media posts that appeared to acknowledge the attention, though he did not publicly deny involvement in the incident. When contacted directly, he declined to comment on the identification or the protest footage.
Activists say they expect further confrontations as immigration enforcement continues and public resistance grows. Federal officials maintain that agents are acting lawfully and warn that attempts to identify or intimidate officers will be met with legal consequences.