US government sued over removal of ICEBlock app that tracks immigration agents
ICEBlock developer alleges free speech violations after Apple removed the popular app following pressure from the Trump administration
The developer of the most popular app used to share information about sightings of federal immigration agents sued the Trump administration on Monday, alleging free speech violations after Apple removed ICEBlock from its online store.
The lawsuit was filed in federal court by Joshua Aaron, the developer of the ICEBlock app that had over 1 million users before it was removed by Apple in October following pressure from the Trump administration, a rare instance of a tech company removing an app based on a complaint from the US federal government.
Aaron named Attorney General Pam Bondi, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and ICE Director Todd Lyons among other administration officials as defendants. ICE agents have regularly raided businesses and other places to arrest migrants, even detaining them following immigration court hearings as part of President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.
People who oppose Trump’s immigration agenda or who say they want to keep immigrants and others safe have used apps and other means to track and document ICE activities and warn people who might be at risk of being detained.
Aaron said he thinks the Trump administration is not just attacking his free speech rights, but those of all citizens when it goes after apps like ICEBlock, and that he hoped his lawsuit helps stop the administration “from eroding the Constitution”.
“When we see our government doing something wrong, it’s our duty as citizens of this nation to hold them accountable, and that is exactly what we’re doing with this lawsuit,” Aaron said.