Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials say CNN has endangered the lives of federal agents after the news network promoted an iPhone app used to “track ICE activity in real time” in an article published on Monday.
Called ICEBlock, CNN noted that the app encourages users to report ICE sightings and pinpoint the locations of federal agents to help illegal aliens avoid arrest.
“Users can tap the map to report an ICE sighting in their area, and then everybody who uses the platform within five miles of that sighting will get a push alert,” a CNN reporter said before adding that the application’s users remain anonymous.
🚨NEW—CNN pushes new app “ICEBlock” meant to “track ICE activity in real time,” alerting illegal aliens before they are detained and deported.
The app is completely free and anonymous to use. pic.twitter.com/f142PBR9Bo
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) June 30, 2025
The app reportedly has more than 20,000 users. The developer behind it describes the platform as an “early warning system.”
ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons slammed CNN, accusing the outlet of putting the lives of federal law enforcement agents at risk. “CNN’s promotion of an ‘ICE spotting’ app is reckless and irresponsible,” Lyons charged. “Advertising an app that basically paints a target on federal law enforcement officers’ backs is sickening.”
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“CNN is willfully endangering the lives of officers who put their lives on the line every day and enabling dangerous criminal aliens to evade U.S. law,” he went on to add. “Is this simply reckless ‘journalism’ or overt activism?”
During Monday’s White House briefing, Daily Wire reporter Mary Margaret Olohan asked Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt about CNN’s promotion of ICEBlock.
.@MaryMargOlohan asks @PressSec about CNN’s promotion of “ICEBlock”, an app that tells you where ICE agents are:
LEAVITT: “It’s unacceptable that a major network would promote such an app that is encouraging violence against officers who are trying to keep our country safe.” pic.twitter.com/Bkd8RpJYqJ
— Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) June 30, 2025
“It sounds like this would be an incitement of further violence against our ICE officers,” said Leavitt. “It’s unacceptable that a major network would promote such an app that is encouraging violence against law enforcement officers who are trying to keep our country safe.”
Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin also warned that the app is “absolutely obstructing justice” in a climate where federal agents are often vilified.
“Our ICE enforcement officers are seeing a 500% increase in assaults against them, and a lot of this is because politicians like AOC, like Governor Tim Walz, like Gavin Newsom demonize our ICE enforcement officers and give them free passes,” McLaughlin charged.
