The New America: Federal (ICE) Agents Boarding Trains?

[MayReasonRule]

Last edited Fri Apr 18, 2025, 06:01 PM - Edit history (1)

As an attorney I’m deeply alarmed by an incident that occurred just this week and feel compelled to share it—to raise awareness of the legal and constitutional crossroads we are rapidly approaching.

A co-worker of mine (who is a judge), traveled by train from Montana to North Dakota for work this week. The train made a stop in Havre, MT, where ICE agents—armed and dressed in full military-style tactical gear—boarded the train.

They walked the full length of the train and questioned every single passenger about their citizenship status. According to the conductor, who has worked nearly 40 years on that route, this was a first. In all his decades of service, federal agents have never boarded his train like this.

This is not a hypothetical. This is not a scene from a dystopian film. This happened this week to my colleague, on U.S. soil, to U.S. citizens, legal residents, and foreign tourists here on holiday, without a warrant, without probable cause—based solely on geography.

Read More At We Know Whats Up

UPDATE Thank You To sl8

This version updates the headline and clarifies that it was Border Patrol agents who boarded the train.

A judge and attorney from North Dakota said Thursday that he was one of possibly all the passengers on an Amtrak Empire Builder train questioned by federal officers about their citizenship Sunday while the train was stopped in Havre.

The person interviewed by Havre Weekly Chronicle said ICE officers were the ones who questioned him.

A spokesperson for ICE said the activity was not related to that agency, and referred questions to Customs and Border Protection.