Hilton et al. v. Noem et al., No. 2:26‑cv‑00092 (D. Me., filed Feb. 23, 2026)

Two residents from Maine brought a class action against the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, Border Patrol, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement on behalf of similarly situated individuals in the District Court of Maine on February 23, 2026, contending violations of their First Amendment rights. They alleged that while they were engaged in political activity, including protesting during the federal government’s immigration crack down, their faces were scanned, and their personal data was collected by federal agents. They allege that they were told by government agents that they were placed on a government watch list. Plaintiffs allege that they are being targeted by immigration agents despite engaging in protected and lawful protest activity.

Plaintiffs ask that any data collected or maintained about the class members pertaining to their protest activities be expunged. Plaintiffs’ motion for temporary restraining order asks that defendants cease unlawful collection, maintenance, and dissemination of their data as well as from threatening, harassing, and retaliating against them for engaging their First Amendment protected activity.

The hearing on the motion for a temporary restraining order is set for March 16, 2026.

Documents

• Complaint

Counsel: Drummond Woodson | Protect Democracy Project | Dunn Isaacson Rhee LLP

Contact:  Melissa Hewey | mheewey@dwmlaw.com

Press:

• Protect Democracy Project, Defending Maine communities from federal surveillance and intimidation, Feb. 23, 2026 (https://protectdemocracy.org/work/defending-maine-communities-from-federal-surveillance-and-intimidation/)