Slain San Jose Toddler’s Time in Foster Care Placed Under Microscope

Santa Clara County officials confronted serious failures in the foster care system after the murder of 2-year-old Jaxon, with ten employees placed on leave and every aspect of his placement now under review. Supervisors demanded greater accountability as investigations continue.

• Santa Clara County supervisors sharply criticized the Department of Family and Children’s Services following the murder of 2-year-old Jaxon.

• Ten county employees placed on administrative leave as every interaction in Jaxon’s foster care case undergoes review.

• Jaxon was placed in February with a foster family that included his 17-year-old biological cousin, who now faces murder and rape charges.

• Officials question the agency’s focus on family preservation over child safety after multiple child deaths in the system.

• Independent investigations underway by state and local authorities.

San Jose, Calif. — Emotions ran high in the Board of Supervisors chambers Thursday as Santa Clara County officials gathered for a meeting to talk about why children continue dying in foster care despite reforms and policy changes aimed at protecting vulnerable children.

Supervisors fired off scathing critiques of the county’s Department of Family and Children’s Services, the agency responsible for placing 2-year-old Jaxon in a foster home in San Jose where he was allegedly abused and murdered. Police officers found Jaxon unconscious in his crib on Easter Sunday. Prosecutors said the killer was a 17-year-old boy who was Jaxon’s foster brother and biological cousin.

County Executive James Williams announced that ten county employees have been placed on administrative leave while investigators work to find who within the child welfare system failed to protect Jaxon. DFCS policies and practices are also being heavily reviewed. Every interaction involving Jaxon during his time in foster care will be examined, with staff potentially facing disciplinary action up to and including termination.

The case has drawn intense scrutiny, coming after DFCS was placed under state oversight following the 2023 death of three-month-old Phoenix Castro. Supervisor Sylvia Arenas expressed deep frustration, asking child welfare officials, “How many children could die under your leadership and you still have a job?” She emphasized the need for accountability, stating the system has prioritized family preservation over child safety.

Jaxon’s mother died last summer. In February, DFCS placed him in a foster home on Otono Court with the teenager and the teen’s mother, who is a cousin of Jaxon’s father. The foster mother has a concerning criminal history and did not cooperate with police, according to authorities. Prosecutors said Jaxon suffered repeated sexual and physical assaults, and his body was covered in suspicious traumatic injuries when found.

District Attorney Jeff Rosen called Jaxon the third child in recent years murdered while under DFCS care, declaring, “Enough. Enough. Change needs to come.” Prosecutors have charged the foster brother with murder and rape. Now 18, he faces a decision this summer on whether he will be tried as an adult. His mother was arrested and released without charges.

Supervisor Arenas broke down in tears during the meeting, urging officials to consider their own young children and the joy they bring. “We all should be infuriated, angry, and upset that our system produced this result,” she said.

The tragic death of young Jaxon has intensified calls for systemic change in Santa Clara County’s child welfare system. With multiple investigations underway by the California Department of Social Services and the District Attorney’s office, county leaders are under pressure to deliver real reforms that place child safety first.

Houston Officer Fired After Racist Video Surfaces, Mayor Condemns ‘Outrageous’ Remarks

Houston Police Officer Ashley Gonzalez was terminated after a video surfaced showing her using racist slurs and anti-Black comments. Mayor John Whitmire called the remarks “outrageous and reprehensible,” stressing zero tolerance for racism in the department and city government.

• Houston Police Officer Ashley Gonzalez terminated following circulation of a video showing racist slurs and anti-Black comments.

• Mayor John Whitmire calls the language “outrageous and reprehensible” and says it does not reflect city or department values.

• The officer had been with HPD for approximately two years.

• Houston Police Officers’ Union expresses disturbance and supports appropriate action.

• Chief J. Noe Diaz suspended Gonzalez immediately and moved to fire her as soon as policy allowed.

Houston, Texas — A Houston Police Department officer has been fired after a video circulating on social media appeared to show her using racist slurs and expressing hatred toward Black people.

Mayor John Whitmire released a statement Friday addressing the termination of Officer Ashley Gonzalez, describing her recorded comments as “outrageous and reprehensible.” He said he was shocked and deeply disappointed to hear a Houston police officer use such foul and offensive language.

“The comments in the video recorded by former Houston Police Officer Ashley Gonzalez are outrageous and reprehensible,” Whitmire stated. “Her actions do not reflect the values of our city or the Houston Police Department, nor the standards we expect from those sworn to serve and protect our community.”

In the footage, the woman repeatedly uses racial slurs and makes multiple comments about how much she hates Black people. She is heard saying, “Y’all don’t know how good it felt to say n***** out loud. Oh, my God, I felt like I was back in the Marine Corps.” The video also shows her threatening to arrest any “Black person” who happens to be at a call she is dispatched to.

Whitmire emphasized zero tolerance for racism, applauding HPD Chief J. Noe Diaz for suspending Gonzalez when the department became aware of the video and firing her as soon as the state civil service process allowed. He urged city employees and Houstonians to report racism and rededicate themselves to human rights and respect.

The Houston Police Officers’ Union (HPOU) also condemned the behavior, stating it was “extremely disturbed” by the footage and does not tolerate racist actions among its members. Union President Douglas Griffith highlighted the department’s diversity and said it is working to confirm the video’s authenticity while taking measures to maintain public trust.

A department spokesperson confirmed the officer in question had served with HPD for about two years.

This incident serves as a clear reminder of the standards expected in public service and the swift consequences when those standards are not met.

NJ High School Teen Arrested for Alleged AI-Generated Nude Images of Classmates

A 17-year-old Montgomery High School student in New Jersey was arrested for allegedly creating and sharing AI-generated nude images of classmates, prompting the school district to address parent concerns and boost digital safety education.

• Montgomery Township, New Jersey high school student, 17, arrested by state police in March

• Charged with harassment and possession/distribution of child sexual exploitation material

• Images created outside school hours and off school grounds

• School district cooperating with law enforcement, offering counseling to affected students

• Officials emphasize need for stronger digital safety education around AI and social media

Montgomery Township, New Jersey — A New Jersey township’s board of education is addressing parents’ concerns following the arrest of a high school student accused of creating and sharing AI-generated nude images of his classmates.

The 17-year-old student at Montgomery High School is no longer attending classes with his peers after state police arrested him in March. According to investigators, the teen faces charges including harassment, as well as possession and distribution of child sexual exploitation and abuse material.

In a message to parents, the Montgomery Township School District confirmed the inappropriate images were created outside of school hours and away from school grounds. Because the student is a minor, the district is required by law to protect his identity and cannot comment further on the case. However, officials stated they are fully cooperating with law enforcement.

The district is also offering counseling services to any students impacted by the incident and says it is actively working to strengthen education around digital safety, responsible technology use, and the risks associated with artificial intelligence and social media.

Experts are highlighting the role of parents and schools in preventing such misuse of technology. Ben Halpert of SavvyCyberKids.org compared the situation to driving, noting that just because a teen can do something with technology doesn’t mean they should. He stressed the importance of teaching good judgment with tech tools.

Last year, then-Governor Phil Murphy signed the “Take it Down Act” into law following a similar case involving a high school student. Dorota Mani, whose daughter was affected in that earlier incident, advocated for the legislation requiring platforms to remove such images. She believes schools have a responsibility to educate both girls and boys about respect, ethical AI use, and the potential civil and criminal consequences.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the challenges schools and families face in the age of rapidly advancing artificial intelligence. As technology evolves, so too must efforts to protect students and promote responsible digital citizenship.

Hancock Middle School Students Stop Runaway Bus After Driver Passes Out

Five Hancock Middle School students sprang into action Wednesday afternoon, stopping a runaway bus after their driver passed out at the wheel. Their calm response and teamwork are being celebrated as they prepare to be honored at a school pep rally.

• Five students from Hancock Middle School in Mississippi took quick action to stop a runaway school bus Wednesday afternoon.

• The bus driver, Leah Taylor, suffered a medical emergency and passed out behind the wheel.

• Students grabbed the steering wheel, hit the brakes, called 911, and administered medication until help arrived.

• The driver credits the students with saving her life and is now feeling better.

• The students will be honored at a school pep rally on Friday.

HANCOCK COUNTY, Miss. — Five Hancock Middle School students stopped a runaway school bus Wednesday afternoon after their driver passed out behind the wheel.

The students made split-second decisions that bus driver Leah Taylor said saved her life. “I had a medical emergency, and the students stepped up when I passed out driving the bus,” Taylor said.

Sixth-grader McKenzy Finch described the moment the driver suddenly fell over. “She kind of like fell over like flopped over and everyone started like standing up,” Finch said.

Sixth-grader Jackson Casnave grabbed the wheel as the bus began veering off to the side. “I saw that the bus was veering off to the side then I grabbed the wheel,” Casnave said.

Sixth-grader Darrius Clark hit the brakes when the bus started gaining speed. “And then, so she passed out again and then the bus started rolling forward, and I mean it started gaining speed so I didn’t know it had air brakes so when I clicked the brakes it about threw me out the windshield,” Clark said.

Eighth-grader Kayleigh Clark called 911, while eighth-grader Destiny Cornelius administered medication to the driver. “I saw her medication in her hand, and I saw her reaching for it, I knew that’s what she needed,” Cornelius said.

The students worked together until first responders arrived. Hancock Middle School Principal Dr. Melissa Saucier praised their composure. “You know, I’m not surprised to hear that our kids remained calm and acted swiftly. This emergency situation could have definitely been detrimental. And they handled it exactly how they should have. And we’re extremely proud of them,” Saucier said.

Taylor said she is back to normal and feeling better. “I’m very proud of them. I couldn’t ask for any of my other students than my students on my bus. I love every single one of them,” Taylor said. “I’m gonna think of how they saved my life.”

The students will be recognized for their actions at a school pep rally Friday.

In a moment of crisis, these five middle school students showed remarkable bravery and teamwork, turning a potentially tragic situation into a story of heroism. Their quick thinking not only stopped the bus but also helped save their driver’s life, earning them well-deserved recognition from their school and community.

AI Robots Learn Basic Human Tasks at Major Data Factory in Massachusetts

MIT-founded Tutor Intelligence operates America’s largest robot data factory in Watertown, Massachusetts, where AI robots learn basic tasks like packing boxes and folding laundry to build essential training data for more adaptable machines.

• MIT graduates launch Tutor Intelligence to create essential training data for robots performing everyday physical tasks.

• America’s largest robot data factory operates in Watertown, Massachusetts, described as “kindergarten for robots.”

• Robots practice simple actions like picking items, packing boxes, and folding laundry but frequently make mistakes.

• Founders aim to build adaptable robots capable of learning new skills in any environment.

• Technology expected to advance rapidly, with robots becoming common in daily life within five years.

Watertown, Massachusetts — Artificial intelligence is advancing into the physical world as robots at a specialized factory learn to handle simple human tasks that lack existing training data.

Co-founders Josh Gruenstein and Alon Kosowsky-Sachs, MIT graduates from the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), established Tutor Intelligence to address a key gap in robotics development. While language models like ChatGPT draw from vast written sources, no comparable dataset exists for teaching robots physical actions.

Gruenstein, the company’s CEO, explained that most people have yet to encounter robots in daily life, but that is set to change quickly. At their Watertown facility — the largest robot data factory in the United States — the machines practice fundamental movements in what he calls “kindergarten for robots.”

The robots attempt basic chores such as picking up individual items and placing them into boxes or trying to fold laundry. In these early stages, they often mess up because the necessary training data for varied physical human tasks simply does not exist yet.

Gruenstein noted the contrast with specialized factory robots that repeat identical motions reliably, like those in car manufacturing. Most real-world physical work, however, requires flexibility and adaptation to changing conditions.

The goal is to develop robots that can learn any behavior in any situation, much like humans do. “For robots to do all of the jobs and kind of engage with our world in the same way that humans do, they have to be able to learn new skills on the fly,” Gruenstein said.

The team is actively generating the data needed to train these systems alongside dozens of robots working together. While the machines remain clumsy for now, rapid progress is anticipated.

This Watertown initiative represents a foundational step toward more capable and versatile robotics. Gruenstein predicts that within the next five years, robots will become a visible and exciting part of everyday technological and social shifts.

San Diego Man Pleads Guilty to Impersonating ICE Officer in Immigrant Scam

A San Diego man pleaded guilty to impersonating an ICE officer and scamming Orange County immigrants out of tens of thousands of dollars by promising false help with legal residency and citizenship. Davyd George Brand Jimenez faces up to 117 years in prison.

• San Diego man Davyd George Brand Jimenez, 55, pleaded guilty to federal charges for posing as an ICE officer.

• He allegedly scammed Orange County immigrants out of tens of thousands of dollars by promising help with work permits, residency, and citizenship.

• Victims were charged between $10,000 and $20,000 each; he failed to deliver any benefits and fabricated documents.

• Sentencing scheduled for July 16; faces up to 117 years in prison and must pay restitution.

San Diego, California — A local man has admitted in federal court to impersonating an immigration officer and defrauding vulnerable immigrants seeking legal status in the United States.

Davyd George Brand Jimenez, 55, of San Ysidro, entered his guilty plea Wednesday in Los Angeles to 10 counts of false impersonation of a federal officer or employee, two counts of mail fraud, two counts of wire fraud, one count of fraudulent possession and use of U.S. government seals, and one count of aggravated identity theft.

Prosecutors say Brand Jimenez targeted undocumented members of the Latino community, primarily in Orange County. He pretended to be a special agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or sometimes claimed to be a nonexistent “G-18” official with the Department of Homeland Security.

He told victims he could assist them with obtaining work permits, legal U.S. residency, and citizenship. Each victim reportedly paid him between $10,000 and $20,000. According to court documents, Brand Jimenez never filed any legitimate immigration paperwork and never secured any benefits for those he took money from.

Instead, authorities say he created fake immigration documents bearing the Homeland Security emblem and even provided one victim with a fabricated stay of deportation order. In another case, he supplied documents belonging to a different person, including a valid Social Security card, U.S. passport card, and California ID card, and instructed the victim to use them.

Sentencing is set for July 16. Brand Jimenez faces a maximum of 117 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $4 million, and restitution totaling $152,476 to at least 25 victims, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

This case highlights the risks immigrants face when turning to individuals who falsely promise to navigate the complex U.S. immigration system.

North Carolina Teen Charged in Alleged Plot to Attack Houston Synagogue, FBI Says

An 18-year-old from Lexington, North Carolina, faces conspiracy charges after authorities say she plotted to attack a Houston synagogue by driving through the congregation to kill as many Jews as possible. The FBI says quick action likely prevented a mass casualty event.

• 18-year-old Angelina Han Hicks of Lexington, North Carolina, arrested and held on $10 million bond.

• Charged with felony conspiracy to commit assault with a deadly weapon and felony conspiracy to commit murder.

• Allegedly plotted with two unidentified co-conspirators to drive through Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Houston to “kill as many Jews as possible.”

• FBI Director Kash Patel credited swift action by agents that likely saved lives.

• Hicks’ father calls charges “fabricated” and “way over the top.”

• Synagogue closed out of caution following the tip.

Lexington, North Carolina — An 18-year-old North Carolina woman is being held on a $10 million bond after authorities say she was conspiring to attack a synagogue in Houston, Texas.

Angelina Han Hicks, of Lexington, was arrested Wednesday by the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office and FBI special agents. She faces charges of felony conspiracy to commit assault with a deadly weapon to kill or commit serious injury, and felony conspiracy to commit murder.

Court records indicate Hicks plotted with two men known only as “Teegan” and “Angel” to attack Congregation Beth Israel synagogue. The co-conspirators have not been identified or arrested. Prosecutors alleged the plan was “to kill as many Jews as possible by driving through a congregation at the synagogue.”

FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau received a tip Tuesday about an individual from Lexington planning a mass casualty event at a Jewish Day School near Houston. He praised the quick response by FBI field offices in Charlotte and Houston, along with local authorities, saying it “likely saved lives.”

Hicks made her first court appearance Wednesday and is scheduled to appear in Davidson County District Court on May 12.

Her father, who did not give his name, told a local station the charges are “fabricated” and “way over the top.” He described his daughter as “a good kid” who is in school and set to graduate in two weeks, adding that she is “no threat to anyone other than being a fantasy video player.”

The Jewish Federation of Greater Houston noted that Beth Israel closed Wednesday out of an abundance of caution, stating that the safety and security of the Houston Jewish community remains of utmost importance.

Authorities continue to investigate the alleged plot, with the two co-conspirators still at large. The case underscores ongoing concerns about threats targeting Jewish communities, coming weeks after a separate incident at a Michigan synagogue.

Former Colorado Funeral Home Owner Sentenced to 30 Years in Decomposing Bodies Scandal

Former Colorado funeral home owner Carie Hallford was sentenced to 30 years in prison for her role in hiding nearly 200 decomposing bodies, a case that forced statewide regulatory reforms in the funeral industry. Victims’ families received fake ashes while bodies were left to rot.

• Carie Hallford receives 30-year state prison sentence for helping hide nearly 200 bodies

• Case prompted major regulatory changes in Colorado’s previously unregulated funeral industry

• Ex-husband Jon Hallford previously sentenced to 40 years on corpse abuse charges

• Victims’ families received fake ashes while bodies were left to decompose

• Prosecutor describes Carie Hallford as the one who “fed the monster”

Colorado Springs, Colorado — A former funeral home owner who helped conceal nearly 200 decomposing bodies at facilities in Colorado Springs and Penrose was sentenced to 30 years in prison Friday, closing a disturbing chapter in a case that exposed deep flaws in the state’s funeral industry oversight.

Carie Hallford faced 25 to 35 years under a state plea agreement. She was sentenced last month to 18 years in a related federal fraud case, where she claimed she was a victim of abuse and manipulation in her marriage. Her ex-husband, Jon Hallford, received 40 years on corpse abuse charges in February, during a hearing where grieving relatives called him a “monster.”

Carie Hallford served as the public face of their Return to Nature funeral home, interacting with bereaved families in Colorado Springs, while Jon Hallford handled much of the physical work, including at the second location in Penrose. Authorities discovered bodies piled throughout a bug-infested building in Penrose in 2023 after neighbors complained about a foul odor.

One victim’s daughter, Tanya Wilson, told the court that her family released what they believed were her mother’s ashes from a boat in Hawaii. In reality, the body had been left lying in toxic fluids on the floor of the Hallfords’ makeshift mortuary. Like other customers, the family received fake ashes instead of the cremated remains they were promised. Wilson described how the family had carefully prepared her mother’s body — brushing her hair, applying moisturizer, and dressing her in special clothes — only for Carie Hallford to “annihilate that dignity.”

Before sentencing, Carie Hallford apologized, saying she was raised to know right from wrong but had lost herself. Fighting back tears, she described her marriage as “a convoluted web of lies, deceit and abuse,” adding that while her ex-husband was not a monster, he deserved punishment.

Prosecutors alleged the couple’s actions were driven by greed. They charged more than $1,200 per customer while spending on luxury items that could have covered proper cremations many times over. The case stood out as the most egregious among multiple scandals involving Colorado funeral homes.

The discovery of the corpses in Penrose spurred Colorado lawmakers to pass reforms. The state, previously the only one without funeral home regulations, now requires routine inspections and a licensing system for funeral directors. Subsequent inspections uncovered additional problems, including 24 decomposing bodies found at a Pueblo County funeral home last year.

In court, Carie Hallford’s attorney highlighted her difficult circumstances, while Chief Deputy District Attorney Rachael Powell emphasized her central role. “She solicited bodies and took the checks. She fed Jon the bodies,” Powell said, describing Carie as the one who manipulated clients with a smile while knowing the truth.

The couple divorced after their arrests. Their state sentences will run concurrently with federal terms, though some victims’ families have called the plea agreements too lenient. Both have appealed their sentences.

This heartbreaking case has led to meaningful change in an industry that desperately needed it, offering some measure of accountability for families whose loved ones were so profoundly disrespected.

10 Cartel Members Linked to Brother of “El Chapo” Captured in Mexico with U.S. Intelligence Support

Mexican authorities captured 10 cartel members linked to “El Guano,” brother of “El Chapo,” in a U.S.-intelligence-backed raid in Tamazula, seizing weapons and key associates.

Bullet Point Summary:

• Mexican soldiers captured 10 members of a Sinaloa cartel faction led by Aureliano Guzman Loera, known as “El Guano.”

• Three of the closest allies of “El Guano,” including his right-hand man, chief bodyguard, and financial/logistical aide, were among those detained.

• The operation in Tamazula relied on intelligence provided by the United States.

• Authorities seized multiple weapons, ammunition, and explosive devices during the raid.

• “El Guano” remains at large with a $5 million U.S. reward for information leading to his arrest.

Tamazula, Mexico – Mexican soldiers carried out a significant operation that resulted in the capture of 10 members of a faction of the Sinaloa cartel, the military announced Thursday.

The detentions targeted individuals linked to Aureliano Guzman Loera, alias “El Guano,” the brother of convicted drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman. Among those captured were three of “El Guano’s” closest allies — his right-hand man, chief bodyguard, and financial and logistical aide.

The raid took place in Tamazula, a mountainous village near the border between the states of Durango and Sinaloa, an area where “El Guano” has exercised significant influence. The operation was backed by intelligence provided by the U.S., according to Mexican authorities.

In addition to the arrests, Mexican forces seized multiple weapons, ammunition, and explosive devices. This marks the latest effort against the cartel faction, following a previous deployment of Mexican marines with helicopters to the same region in December.

Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman is currently serving a life sentence in the United States. His associates have been involved in conflicts over control of the Sinaloa cartel. The U.S. State Department has offered a $5 million reward for information leading to “El Guano’s” arrest and conviction.

The successful operation highlights ongoing binational cooperation focused on intelligence sharing in efforts against cartel activities in the region.

Federal Judge Rules in Favor of Indiana Man Suing Trump Administration Over ICE Monitoring App

A federal judge in Illinois ruled in favor of an Indiana man suing the Trump administration over the removal of his “Eyes Up” app from Apple’s App Store, issuing a preliminary injunction against government pressure on platforms to censor content related to ICE activity.

• Federal judge in Illinois issues preliminary injunction blocking government from forcing platforms to censor app

• Indiana man Mark Hodges created “Eyes Up” app to document ICE activity in public

• App removed from Apple’s App Store in October at request of Trump administration

• Lawsuit filed by Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression alleges First Amendment violation

• Ruling protects right to share information about government and law enforcement actions

INDIANAPOLIS — A federal judge in Illinois has ruled in favor of a Brown County, Indiana man who sued the Trump administration, claiming officials pressured Apple to remove his app designed to monitor Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity.

Mark Hodges created the “Eyes Up” app in August 2025. Users can upload and view photos and videos of ICE activity, with a map showing where each photo or video was taken. Hodges described the project as a way to hold the government accountable and document law enforcement actions in public places.

“I’ve never been strongly affiliated with any political party, so this is not a political project,” Hodges said. “I saw that something was wrong. I saw that something was happening that should not be happening, and I also saw the potential for evidence of this to disappear. It’s essentially a way to hold the government accountable, a way to document what’s happening when it comes to law enforcement in public places.”

The Department of Homeland Security has argued that apps like Eyes Up interfere with ICE agents’ jobs and can lead to violence against officers. Hodges emphasized that his app does not provide real-time information. Moderators review posts for authenticity and location, a process that can take 24 to 48 hours or longer.

“We don’t want real-time information floating around there. We don’t want anyone involved in any of these situations to be put in any danger,” Hodges said.

In October, Apple removed the Eyes Up app from its App Store following a request from the Trump administration. This prompted The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression to file a lawsuit on Hodges’ behalf in February. The First Amendment watchdog group alleges the action violated constitutional rights.

“They said, ‘The government has provided us with information, and we’re acting on that information,’” Hodges said.

Apple stated the app violated its guidelines because “its purpose is to provide location information about law enforcement officers that can be used to harm such officers,” according to court documents. Similar apps, including ICEBlock, were also removed around the same time after statements from then-Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem.

On Friday, April 17, the federal judge issued a preliminary injunction ruling in favor of Hodges. The injunction blocks the government from forcing platforms to censor the content.

“The First Amendment protects our right to share information about our government, including reporting on what law enforcement does in public. This is a very encouraging ruling, and we look forward to fully vindicating our clients’ rights as the case progresses,” senior attorney Colin McDonell said in a statement.

The judge noted that Apple had previously reviewed and approved the app, determining its content met requirements. Apple only changed its position after contact from the defendants, who “demanded, rather than requested, that Facebook and Apple censor Plaintiff’s speech.”

A Chicago woman who started a now-removed ICE-tracking Facebook page is also part of the lawsuit.

“It’s a cherished American value, if I’m being frank, we all should be able to speak out, especially about the government,” Hodges said. “That is one of the core reasons that we have the First Amendment.”

Both parties are required to file a joint status report by Wednesday, April 22, proposing next steps in the case.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson provided the following statement: “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 a 1,300% 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, both of which are also separately illegal.”

The Department of Justice attorney on the case has not responded to requests for comment.

This preliminary ruling highlights ongoing tensions between government efforts to protect law enforcement and First Amendment protections for documenting public actions.