Border Patrol agent allegedly used facial recognition to identify ICE observer; Global Entry revoked
A Minnesota woman claims a Border Patrol agent identified her using facial recognition during an observation of federal agents, and her Global Entry and TSA PreCheck privileges were revoked three days later. She alleges the revocation was retaliation for lawful monitoring activity in her neighborhood.
What happened
Nicole Cleland, a Minnesota resident and Target Corporation director, observed what she believed to be federal enforcement agents in a vehicle on January 10, 2026, as part of volunteer work tracking potential ICE and CBP vehicles in her neighborhood. An agent exited a vehicle and approached Cleland's car, stating he had used 'facial recognition' to identify her and that his body camera was recording.
Cleland received an email notification on January 13, 2026, that her Global Entry and TSA PreCheck privileges had been revoked. She submitted a court declaration on January 21 alleging the revocation was a form of intimidation and retaliation.
Reported impact
Cleland's Global Entry and TSA PreCheck privileges for airport security screening were revoked three days after the incident with the Border Patrol agent.
Index analysis
The case raises questions about the use of facial recognition by federal agents to identify individuals engaged in lawful observation of government activity, and whether the subsequent revocation of travel privileges constitutes retaliation.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.