March 15, 2019
The Honorable Kirstjen Nielsen
Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, D.C. 20520
Dear Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen:
We write to express our deep concern regarding the recent NBC investigative article1 which
found that more than 50 journalists, U.S. attorneys and volunteers were tracked by the United
States and Mexican governments through a program called Operation Secure Line. American
journalists, lawyers, and volunteers2 have long suspected that U.S. Customs and Border
Protection agents were monitoring their activity, and that they were targeted for extended
questioning as they conducted their work along the U.S.-Mexico border. With recent leaked
documents found by NBC regarding Operation Secure Line, the suspicions of these professionals
have now been confirmed: DHS officials actively monitored these individuals as they sought to
conduct their work along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Operation Secure Line not only appears invasive, if reports are true, it is also unconstitutional.
Free press is a hallmark of our country’s founding. The Department of Homeland Security is
tasked with safeguarding the American people and our homeland. The fact that DHS would
track U.S. journalists, attorneys and volunteers attempting to do their jobs when they have
committed no crime is deeply concerning. Singling them out precisely because of their
constitutionally protected speech strikes at the core of the values embodied by the First
Amendment. Notwithstanding concerns with border enforcement, CBP must not prioritize
immigration enforcement over the liberties provided by the constitution. The arbitrary detention
practices, coupled with questionable practices at points of entry, draw serious concerns. Reports
that journalists have been held for 13+ hours for questioning, have been stopped or returned from
traveling to do their work, and that lawyers have had sensitive legal documents reviewed by CBP
officials is likewise troubling.3 It suggests that the government may be using its power at the
border to suppress reporting on issues it would prefer to shield from the public eye.

1

https://www.nbcsandiego.com/investigations/Source-Leaked-Documents-Show-the-US-Government-TrackingJournalists-and-Advocates-Through-a-Secret-Database-506783231.html
2
https://www.npr.org/2019/02/15/695164916/journalists-lawyers-volunteers-face-increased-scrutiny-by-borderagents
3
https://www.npr.org/2019/02/15/695164916/journalists-lawyers-volunteers-face-increased-scrutiny-by-borderagents

 These practices could have a chilling effect on the free press. We therefore request detailed
answers to the following questions regarding the tracking of these individuals through Operation
Secure Line:
1. Why and under what authority is DHS monitoring and investigating reporters and
advocacy lawyers as they travel from the United States to Mexico?
2. Why is DHS creating dossiers on individuals?
a. What information is being collected in the dossiers?
b. What is the purpose of the dossiers?
c. Why is the department targeting specific attorneys and journalists for these
dossiers?
d. What standards and protocol is DHS using to place journalists, attorneys and
volunteers on a list for additional screening and scrutiny?
3. Mexican authorities have also detained individuals and denied U.S. citizens access into
Mexico. Is DHS sharing information on particular journalists and advocacy lawyers with
the Mexican government?
a. If so, how has the department communicated their investigative efforts with the
Mexican government?
b. Also, why has DHS decided to share information with the Mexican government?

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
_________________________________
Joaquin Castro
Chairman
Congressional Hispanic Caucus