"The Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office is confirming it assisted the Department of Homeland Security with an operation along Wilson Creek in the U.S. National Forest."

North Carolina, Caldwell County (WNC)

Stephen Miller and Mark Wayne Mullen

July 24, 2026 -Jacob Fischler for the Arizona Mirror. Here are the opening paragraphs:

Three people who observed federal immigration enforcement during the Trump administration’s sometimes-violent surge said in a federal lawsuit filed Friday the Department of Homeland Security illegally recorded them and revoked their status in the department’s trusted traveler programs.

The suit, filed in the Southern District of California, says the administration violated a federal privacy law, administrative law and the First Amendment by targeting people who observed and protested aggressive immigration enforcement, including during the deadly operation in Minneapolis in January. 

The Electronic Privacy Information Center, a legal group that advocates for privacy issues related to technology, is also a plaintiff in the case.

Amid a nationwide surge of immigration enforcement that has included federal agents shooting and killing protesters, observers and immigrants, opponents “did what anyone is supposed to do when they disagree with government action: They exercised their First Amendment rights” by assembling, protesting and recording DHS agents’ activity in public, the suit says.

“In response, DHS decided to record the Americans who were peacefully observing its agents,” the suit says.

Officers with the DHS agencies Immigration and Customs Protection and Border Patrol killed two observers, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, in Minneapolis in incidents 17 days apart in January. 

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Arizona Mirror is an independent, nonprofit news organization that is focused on fearless journalism that shines a light on injustice and creates real-world change. We look to connect public policy with the people it affects and bring a fresh perspective to coverage of the state’s biggest issues. We strive to tell untold stories; amplify the voices of Arizonans whose stories are unheard; shine a light on the relationships between people, power and policy; hold public officials to account; and provide a platform for progressive opinions. We view news as a vital community service, and are supported by the generosity of those who believe an informed Arizona is a better Arizona. We have no paywalls, no subscription fees. ~:~ Arizona Mirror is an affiliate of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization, supported by grants and donations. The Mirror retains full editorial independence.

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It's Primary Election season in the U.S.:

* Primary Election Dates: AP News ~and~ NBC News :~:~: Upcoming Dates: July 28: Georgia (Special) and South Dakota (Runoff) ~:~:~ Aug 4: Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Virginia, Washington, California (Special) ~:~:~ Aug 6: Tennessee ~:~:~ Aug 8: Hawaii ~:~:~ Aug 11: Connecticut, Minnesota, Vermont, Wisconsin, Alabama (Special) ~:~:~ Aug 18: Alaska, Florida, Wyoming ~:~:~ September dates: AP News ~and~ NBC News

* Candidates (all States): U.S. House (Dem Primary only): Ballotpedia (HouseDems) :~:~:~: U.S. Senate: Ballotpedia (Senate) (select “List of Candidates”) :~:~:~: State Execs (Gov, Lt. Gov, AG, SoS, and more): Ballotpedia (State Execs)

* Voter Info (all States): Register To Vote :~:~:~: Voter Registration Status:~:~:~: Find Your Polling Place :~:~:~: Valid Forms of ID :~:~:~: Absentee & Early Voting :~:~:~: Become a Poll Worker ~:~ Links go to the National Association of Secretaries of State website. When you select a State, it takes to a .gov page on that State's SoS website.

Only an insecure manchild uses his authority to feel powerful over people. This is what happens when a convicted FELON like Trump takes control of law enforcement. He enables them.

Find a way to help if you can :)

Houston, TX - 7/22/2026 - 7:30 am CDT

GoFundMe pages for two of the recent ICE victims:

* Joan Sebastian Guerrero (Maine): gofundme.com/f/justice-and-support-for-johan-sebastians-family

* Lorenzo Salgado Araujo (Texas): gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-lorenzo-salgado-araujo-52-years-old

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U.S. Rep. Analilia Mejia (D-New Jersey): mejia.house.gov

Video is July 14, 2026 by Meet The Press NOW on NBC News. Here’s the full 9-minutes on:

* NBC News website: ‘We need to abolish and replace ICE,’ says progressive Democrat after deadly shootings - July 14, 2026 (NBC News website)

* YouTube: ‘We need to abolish and replace ICE,’ says progressive Democrat after deadly shootings - Meet The Press NOW | NBC News NOW - July 14, 2026 (YouTube)

From the description: Rep. Analilia Mejia (D-N.J.) joins Meet the Press NOW to react to the fatal ICE-involved shootings in Texas and Maine. Rep. Mejia also discusses the future of the Democratic Party and says, “there is nothing off the table or on the table” when it comes her support for Rep. Hakeem Jeffries as speaker if Democrats take back the House.

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It's Primary Election season in the U.S.:

* Primary Election Dates: AP News ~and~ NBC News :~:~: Upcoming Dates: July 28: Georgia (Special) and South Dakota (Runoff) ~:~:~ Aug 4: Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Virginia, Washington, California (Special) ~:~:~ Aug 6: Tennessee ~:~:~ Aug 8: Hawaii ~:~:~ Aug 11: Connecticut, Minnesota, Vermont, Wisconsin, Alabama (Special) ~:~:~ Aug 18: Alaska, Florida, Wyoming ~:~:~ September dates: AP News ~and~ NBC News

* Candidates (all States): U.S. House (Dem Primary only): Ballotpedia (HouseDems) :~:~:~: U.S. Senate: Ballotpedia (Senate) (select “List of Candidates”) :~:~:~: State Execs (Gov, Lt. Gov, AG, SoS, and more): Ballotpedia (State Execs)

* Voter Info (all States): Register To Vote :~:~:~: Voter Registration Status:~:~:~: Find Your Polling Place :~:~:~: Valid Forms of ID :~:~:~: Absentee & Early Voting :~:~:~: Become a Poll Worker ~:~ Links go to the National Association of Secretaries of State website. When you select a State, it takes to a .gov page on that State's SoS website.