ICE Wants to Know Who Bought a Certain Green Beanie From REI in the Last 2 Years
Homeland Security Investigations agents hit the outdoor retailer with a controversial subpoena as part of a dragnet search for the identities of protesters who entered a Minnesota church in March.
The federal government, through Homeland Security Investigations, subpoenaed outdoor retailer REI in March for transaction data on individuals who bought a specific dark green beanie in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area since 2024. The request is part of a lawsuit against 39 people who attended an ICE protest at a church. Other recipients of the subpoena include tech companies, airlines, telecom providers, and a state employment agency.
The Department of Homeland Security declined to comment on the subpoena process. US Senator Ron Wyden criticized the request, stating it was "absurd" for DHS to demand such extensive data. Companies receiving these subpoenas are typically asked to keep the request confidential, except when challenged in court.
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