Funding Controversy Surrounds Anti-ICE Trainings Led by Former Letitia James Aide

A controversy has emerged surrounding Anna Brower, a former chief of staff to New York Attorney General Letitia James, who currently serves as president of the Hopewell Fund. This liberal nonprofit is reportedly funding anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) trainings through an organization called States at the Core. These trainings have been criticized for encouraging participants to disrupt federal immigration enforcement activities.

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States at the Core has been conducting ICE Watch seminars since President Donald Trump's second inauguration, training over 12,000 individuals. The organization aims to prepare participants to observe and report on ICE activities, but some training materials have raised concerns. For instance, a slide deck from a recent training instructed participants to gather identifiable information from ICE agents and cautioned against self-incrimination. Critics argue that these tactics may violate federal laws prohibiting interference with law enforcement.

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Anna Brower, who was previously a key aide to Letitia James, has been linked to the Hopewell Fund, which has distributed over $91 million in grants for various causes, including civil rights and social advocacy. The Hopewell Fund has also been scrutinized for its financial connections to foreign entities, including a $2.8 million grant from the Switzerland-based Oak Foundation. Brower has defended the organization's mission, stating that it prioritizes human dignity and safety.

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Conservative watchdog groups, including Americans for Public Trust (APT), have criticized the Hopewell Fund and States at the Core for allegedly promoting illegal activities. APT's executive director, Caitlin Sutherland, emphasized that while peaceful protest is a right, it does not extend to obstructing government officials. The organization has called for accountability regarding the funding of these trainings, particularly in light of recent violent incidents involving ICE Watch participants.

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The situation escalated recently when two members of ICE Watch groups were fatally shot by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis. Reports indicate that these individuals did not comply with law enforcement directives, leading to tragic outcomes. The Department of Homeland Security's preliminary review suggested that the actions of the deceased may have constituted a threat, while local officials, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, have contested the legality of ICE's operations.

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In response to the ongoing tensions surrounding ICE enforcement, Letitia James has initiated a Legal Observation Project aimed at monitoring federal immigration actions in New York. James stated, “We have seen in Minnesota how quickly and tragically federal operations can escalate in the absence of transparency and accountability.” This project reflects a broader concern among Democratic officials regarding the tactics employed by ICE in their jurisdictions.

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• “Upholding human dignity and safety is central to our mission, and we actively discourage individuals from disrupting or interfering with law enforcement activity,” — Anna Brower, President of the Hopewell Fund

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• “but it does not include the right to prevent government officials from doing their jobs.” — Caitlin Sutherland, Executive Director of Americans for Public Trust

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• “We have seen in Minnesota how quickly and tragically federal operations can escalate in the absence of transparency and accountability,” — Letitia James, New York Attorney General

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This ongoing situation highlights the complex interplay between advocacy, law enforcement, and the legal boundaries of protest in the United States.

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