The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) paused a domestic-intelligence program last year over concerns that it may run afoul of Americans’ civil rights.
The DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A), one of 18 government offices and agencies that make up the U.S. Intelligence Community, oversees the “Overt Human Intelligence Collection Program” as part of its intelligence-gathering operations. The program allows the I&A to interview almost anyone in the United States, according to internal DHS documents reviewed by POLITICO.
Part of the I&A program was put on hold last year as concerns grew within the department that it could lead to violations of the rights of interviewees who are currently incarcerated, out of prison on parole, or otherwise in a sensitive position regarding authorities. Some employees concerned about the legally gray area they operated in asked about government-covered legal liability insurance.