Story perspectives

DHS Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Tracking of Protesters

2/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

A federal class-action lawsuit accuses the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of tracking and intimidating observers in Portland, Maine.
The plaintiffs allege DHS agents unlawfully gathered personal information and labeled people as "domestic terrorists" for exercising First Amendment rights.
Colleen Fagan, a social worker, recorded an agent stating there was a "nice little database" of such individuals.
DHS denies the existence of such a database.

1 of 1

Story summary

A federal class-action lawsuit accuses the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of tracking and intimidating observers in Portland, Maine.
The plaintiffs allege DHS agents unlawfully gathered personal information and labeled people as "domestic terrorists" for exercising First Amendment rights.
Colleen Fagan, a social worker, recorded an agent stating there was a "nice little database" of such individuals.
DHS denies the existence of such a database.