Waaxda Amniga Gudaha ee Maraykanka oo Doonaysa Wada-hadallada Signal ee Mudaaharaadayaasha
Waaxda Amniga Gudaha (DHS) ayaa maxkamadda ku doodaysa oo raadineysa wada-hadallada kooxeed ee 'jawaab-degdeg' ee Signal, iyadoo ay dacwo ku eedeynayso xad-gudubka xuquuqda wax-ka-qabashada mudaaharaadayaasha. Dacwadda Hilton v. Noem ayaa laga dhigay Maine horraantii sanadkan.
Eedeynaha iyo Ururada Dadweynaha
Dacwo-qaadayaasha kiiska Hilton v. Noem waxay ku eedeynayaan DHS inay xad-gudub ku sameysay xuquuqdooda First Amendment iyagoo dabagal ku hayay hawlahooda. Mid ka mid ah qaadayaasha dacwada ayaa sheegtay in wakiillada DHS ay wejigeeda iskaanayeen oo ay ururiyeen macluumaadka taarikada gaariga iyada oo daawanaysay hawlgallada ICE.
Dadka degan Maine waxay bilaabeen inay is-abaabulaan ka dib markii hawlgallada fulinta socdaalku ay kordheen xaafadahooda. Tani waxay ku daraysay bilowga wada-hadallada kooxeed ee Signal si loo wadaago goorta iyo meesha ay ka dhacayaan hawlgallada DHS.
Dalabyada Dowladda iyo Diidmada Qareenada
Dowladda waxay dalbatay liiska dhammaan mudaaharaadada ay qaadayaasha magacaysan ka qayb qaateen, iyo wada-xiriir kasta oo ka tarjumaysa 'caqiidada iyo ra'yigooda ee shaqaalaha sharci fulinta, hawlgallada, tabaha iyo ficillada'. Waxaa kale oo la raadiyay wada-xiriir ku saabsan 'fursadaha indha-indheynta iyo/ama duubista ICE ee Maine, laga bilaabo Janaayo 20, 2025, ilaa maanta'.
Bishii Juun, qareenada mudaaharaadayaasha ayaa warqad u diray Maxkamadda Cadaaladda, iyagoo sheegay inay si ula kac ah u qarinayaan wada-hadallada Signal ee bulshada. Waxay maxkamadda u gudbiyeen kooxo yar-yar oo Signal ah, laakiin wejiyada aan dacwo-qaadayaasha ahayn iyo xeeladaha kooxaha ayaa laga saaray.
Su'aalaha Maxkamadda iyo Hadallada Qareenada
Qareenada dowladda ayaa markii la isweydaarsaday qaadayaasha dacwada su'aalo badan ka keenay wada-hadallada Signal. Su'aalaha waxaa ka mid ahaa in mas'uuliyiin dowladeed ama kooxo siyaasadeed ay ka qayb qaadanayeen, dadka ka baxsan Maine, iyo cidda abaabushay wada-hadalladaas.
Genevieve Nadeau waxay tiri: 'The government wants access to private Signal chats that communities in Maine and around the country are using to coordinate lawful responses to dangerous abuses of power playing out on the streets where they live and work.' Adam Steinbaugh wuxuu yiri: 'You shouldn't have to give up that First Amendment right to expressive association if you need to sue to protect your First Amendment rights'.
The Department of Homeland Security is requesting access to private Signal group chats used by communities in Maine to coordinate responses to immigration enforcement, according to court filings in Hilton v. Noem. Plaintiffs argue the government's demand itself violates their First Amendment right to expressive association.
Discovery Requests Target Protest Coordination
As part of its defense in the lawsuit, the government was granted discovery and sought a comprehensive list of protests attended by each named defendant. Plaintiffs' attorneys say the requests also demanded communications reflecting their beliefs about law enforcement operations and any opportunities to observe or record ICE activity in Maine since January 20, 2025.
The government's discovery demands included any comments or likes on social media posts that might reveal opinions about law enforcement tactics. These broad requests aim to uncover the full scope of protest coordination and public sentiment toward immigration enforcement activities.
Protesters Withhold Community Chat Data
In June, attorneys representing the protesters sent a letter to the Department of Justice stating they intentionally withheld all community group Signal chats that would otherwise be responsive to the government's requests. Smaller Signal group chats were turned over to the court, but contact information for non-plaintiffs and communications revealing group priorities or tactics were redacted.
Genevieve Nadeau, an attorney for the protesters, said the government wants access to private Signal chats used by communities to coordinate lawful responses to abuses of power. She stated that the court should deny this access and shut down the government's attempt to intrude on the fundamental First Amendment right to collective action.
Government Deposes Plaintiffs on Chat Details
Government attorneys deposed plaintiffs and asked numerous questions about the community Signal group chats, including whether public officials or political groups were participating, whether people from outside Maine were involved, and who organized the chats. These questions aim to identify the structure and leadership of protest coordination networks.
Adam Steinbaugh of FIRE, a civil liberties nonprofit, said protesters should not have to give up their First Amendment right to expressive association if they need to sue to protect those rights. The government has also attempted to unmask critics by subpoenaing tech companies for identifying information.
