The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) fired back at MS NOW on Sunday after “Connect with Jacob Soboroff” host Jacob Soboroff highlighted an activist group that trains “ICE Watch” volunteers to monitor federal immigration operations and is now turning some of that organizing toward the midterm elections.
During Saturday’s edition of the show, Soboroff discussed reporting about activists who previously monitored U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations and are now turning their attention toward election-related activity. MS NOW’s description of the episode said, “ICE watchers once alerted neighbors about the presence of federal agents, now they are protecting the polls.”
Soboroff’s segment featured Zachary Mueller, a senior strategist for the nonprofit States at the Core and referenced reporting from the outlet “The Intercept” about activists preparing to monitor polling locations.
States at the Core has described its work as opposing what it views as authoritarianism and has advertised trainings on both ICE monitoring and election protection.
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DHS pointed to attacks and threats against immigration officers while arguing that tools used to track federal agents could endanger law enforcement personnel and interfere with operations.
“Shame on MS NOW for promoting efforts to undermine those who keep our communities and streets safe from illegal alien crime,” a DHS spokesperson said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “ICE tracking apps put the lives of the men and women of law enforcement in danger as they go after terrorists, vicious gangs and violent criminal rings.
“Our law officers are facing an over 1,600% increase in assaults, a 3,300% increase in vehicle attacks, and an 8,000% increase in death threats. Further, these apps are a method to interfere with law enforcement activities and harbor illegal aliens.”
States at the Core said in March that tens of thousands of Americans had attended its ICE Watch training before it launched a program called “Beyond ICE Watch,” which sought to expand neighborhood organizing beyond monitoring immigration enforcement.
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The organization described its mission in that announcement.
“Our mission is pretty simple. Help everyday people fight authoritarianism; help people fight for their freedoms,” States at the Core said.
In September, the group advertised a training that sought to adapt ICE Watch techniques for the midterm elections, including documenting activity around communities and elections.
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States at the Core had previously drawn scrutiny for its ICE-monitoring tactics. In February, co-founder Jill Garvey trained “rapid responders” to use the military-derived “SALUTE” observation method — an acronym for size, activity, location, uniform, time and equipment — when documenting federal immigration personnel.
The FBI was also investigating alleged Signal groups used by anti-ICE activists to track, identify and potentially impede federal law enforcement officers. FBI Director Kash Patel said investigations would examine whether the alleged coordination crossed the line into violations of federal law.
DHS has reported a sharp increase in assaults against ICE personnel. The department said 647 assaults occurred between Jan. 20, 2025, and Sept. 20, 2026, compared with 37 during the corresponding period under the Biden administration, representing a 1,649% increase.
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DHS told Fox News Digital that it viewed messaging that encourages resistance to immigration enforcement as dangerous.
“Glorifying resistance to lawful immigration enforcement is irresponsible and dismissive of the victims and families who have suffered because of crimes committed by criminal illegal aliens,” the spokesperson said. “Assaulting and obstructing ICE law enforcement is a crime and felony. Anyone who assaults law enforcement will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Fox News Digital reached out to States at the Core for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.
