Border czar Tom Homan calls for DOJ investigation into CNN over ICE tracking app – Washington Examiner
Tom Homan, former border czar under the Trump administration, has called for an inquiry by the department of Justice into CNN for its coverage of “ICEBlock,” a mobile app that alerts users to nearby Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities in real time. Developed by Joshua Aaron,the app has faced criticism from immigration enforcement officials and conservative figures who argue it jeopardizes the safety of ICE agents and aids undocumented immigrants in avoiding deportation.
During a podcast, Homan expressed his outrage, asserting that the app could lead to violence against ICE agents, which are already dealing with a rise in assaults.ICE acting Director Todd Lyons also condemned CNN’s promotion of the app as “reckless and irresponsible,” claiming it targets law enforcement personnel and fosters an environment conducive to evading U.S. law.
In response to the backlash, Aaron defended the app as an “early warning system,” stating its intention is not to hinder law enforcement but to provide safety for individuals from ICE encounters. ICEBlock, which reportedly has over 20,000 users, emphasizes user anonymity and data privacy, with features designed to minimize false alerts. The dispute highlights the tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and the role of technology in this complex issue.
Border czar Tom Homan calls for DOJ investigation into CNN over ICE tracking app
Trump administration border czar Tom Homan is calling on the Department of Justice to launch an investigation into CNN for its recent coverage of “ICEBlock,” a mobile app designed to alert users about nearby Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in real time.
The app, developed by longtime tech worker Joshua Aaron, has drawn sharp criticism from immigration enforcement officials and conservative leaders who say it puts ICE agents in danger and helps undocumented immigrants evade deportation.
“It’s disgusting. … It’s only a matter of time before someone sits in hiding and waits for an ICE agent and tries to take them out. I mean, this is horrendous that a national media outlet will be out there trying to forecast law enforcement operations throughout the country,” Homan said Monday during a podcast appearance. “This is horrendous that a national media outlet is trying to forecast law enforcement operations — DOJ needs to look at this.”
Homan, who led ICE during President Donald Trump’s first term, expressed outrage at CNN’s decision to spotlight the app during a recent segment.
“ICE agents are arresting the worst of the worst … the job’s already dangerous,” Homan continued.
ICE acting Director Todd Lyons echoed Homan’s concerns in a sharply worded statement released Monday.
“CNN’s promotion of an ‘ICE spotting’ app is reckless and irresponsible,” Lyons said. “Advertising an app that basically paints a target on federal law enforcement officers’ backs is sickening. My officers and agents are already facing a 500% increase in assaults.”
“CNN is willfully endangering the lives of officers who put their lives on the line every day and enabling dangerous criminal aliens to evade U.S. law,” Lyons added. “Is this simply reckless ‘journalism’ or overt activism?”
Joshua Aaron, the creator of ICEBlock, responded to the backlash on BlueSky, a social media platform, posting: “Always nice when the acting ICE Director issues a statement about something you’re doing.”
Aaron, who describes himself on BlueSky as a “Proud #Antifa” activist and supporter of left-wing political movements such as #BLM and the #ICEBlockArmy, developed the app in response to what he calls the “crackdown” on immigrants by the Trump administration.
“I understand that you have shareholders to report to. I understand that you have employees that need their paychecks,” he said to CNN. “But at what point do you say, ‘Enough is enough’?”
Aaron says the app is designed as an “early warning system” and denies any intent to encourage interference with law enforcement.
According to its Apple app store listing, ICEBlock is a free and anonymous iOS app that allows users to report and view ICE sightings within a five-mile radius.
Key features of the ICEBlock app include complete anonymity, with no user data collected or stored, community reporting that allows users to submit ICE sightings along with optional notes, real-time push alerts that notify nearby users of reported activity, and a strong emphasis on privacy, with no sign-up required, no advertisements, and no data tracking of any kind.
The app supports over a dozen languages, including Spanish, Arabic, Hindi, and Vietnamese. Developers say all reports are automatically deleted after four hours and can only be submitted once every five minutes to limit false alerts.
Aaron claims ICEBlock has over 20,000 users, primarily in cities like Los Angeles, and he insists the app’s goal is to help individuals avoid contact with ICE, not to interfere with operations or incite violence.
ZOHRAN MAMDANI TOOK MONEY FROM GROUPS THAT HELP ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AVOID DEPORTATION
ICE reported over 527,000 illegal immigrant arrests in 2024, according to the agency’s latest statistics.
The Washington Examiner reached out to the ICEBlock developer via his management for comment.
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