The Department of Justice has fired Carolyn Feinstein, an auditor, over her alleged ties to an app that tracks the real-time location of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents — a move she says is retaliation for her husband’s activism.
Feinstein is married to Joshua Aaron, the creator of ICEBlock, an app that crowdsources and maps ICE activity across the U.S., allowing users — including undocumented immigrants — to avoid encounters with federal immigration officers. Federal officials have sharply criticized the app, saying it endangers ICE agents and undermines law enforcement operations.
DOJ Statement
In a statement to Newsweek, a DOJ spokesperson said:
“The Department of Justice investigated this former employee’s activities and found that she has a significant stake in All U Chart, Inc., the company that owns ICEBlock. This app is used by illegal aliens to evade capture, putting ICE officers at serious risk. This DOJ will not tolerate threats against law enforcement or those who protect our nation.”
Feinstein’s Response
In an interview with MSW Media, Feinstein said she was abruptly terminated via email with no prior warning. She described the dismissal as politically motivated and linked directly to her husband’s advocacy.
“I wasn’t just terminated — I was targeted,” she said. “It’s been about a week and a half since people made the connection that I’m married to Joshua Aaron. Suddenly I was being accused of everything from leaking information to treason. None of it is true.”
She added that she had long planned to build her career at the DOJ and now is considering legal action over what she describes as wrongful termination.
The App at the Center of the Controversy
ICEBlock, developed by Aaron, allows users to post and view alerts about ICE activity in real time. While Aaron insists the app is meant to help people avoid unjust detentions and does not interfere with enforcement, federal officials argue otherwise.
The Department of Homeland Security has warned the app “puts a target” on federal officers, and ICE has cited a significant rise in assaults on agents — allegedly fueled in part by public exposure of their locations.
Joshua Aaron Speaks Out
Aaron has been outspoken in his criticism of ICE, comparing the agency’s actions to those seen in authoritarian regimes.
“When ICE agents are outside schools, ripping babies from their mothers’ arms, and disappearing students over their beliefs, it’s clear their ‘worst of the worst’ narrative is a lie,” he told Newsweek. “If you’ve ever wondered what you’d have done during Hitler’s rise to power — you’re doing it right now. ICEBlock is my way of helping people protect themselves.”
ICE Response
Acting ICE Director Todd M. Lyons blasted both the app and media coverage surrounding it, particularly a recent CNN segment highlighting ICEBlock.
“Promoting an app that tracks ICE agents like a GPS is sickening,” Lyons told Newsweek. “Assaults on our officers are up 500%, and this kind of national exposure invites more violence. CNN is enabling criminals and endangering public servants. Is this reckless journalism — or activism in disguise?”
Feinstein has not ruled out taking legal action against the DOJ.
