"Aaron argues that ICEBlock - which was designed to allow users to alert others nearby about public sightings of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in their area - represents constitutionally protected speech, according to a complaint filed in Washington, DC, federal court on Monday. Aaron "believes that speech about publicly observed law and immigration enforcement activity - the expression enabled by ICEBlock - lies at the heart of the interests the First Amendment was intended to protect," the complaint states."
"ICEBlock had more than 1 million users at the time of its removal, according to Aaron. Users who already had the app downloaded can still use it, but new downloads are blocked and Aaron told CNN he worries threats from administration officials may have discouraged existing users from using it. The suit names Attorney General Pam Bondi, as well as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons, White House Border Czar Tom Homan and other, unnamed federal officials, as defendants."
Joshua Aaron filed a federal lawsuit alleging the Trump administration abused government power by pressuring Apple to remove ICEBlock, an app that allowed users to alert others about public sightings of ICE agents. Aaron contends that alerts about publicly observed immigration enforcement activity constitute protected speech under the First Amendment. ICEBlock had over one million users when removed; existing users can still access it but new downloads are blocked. The suit names multiple federal officials, including Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Bondi called the app a risk to agents, while Aaron denies that it endangers law enforcement.
Read at ABC7 Los Angeles
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