The use of facial recognition technology by immigration agencies like ICE has raised concerns among former officials and privacy advocates. A DHS official who left this year expressed skepticism about the apps, citing the potential for abuse and misidentification, particularly for people of color who often face higher error rates with facial recognition software. The lack of oversight and understanding of the technology by those in charge further compounds these concerns.
ICE’s renewed access to Clearview AI, a controversial facial recognition search engine, has sparked worries about its expanded use beyond its original intended purpose of aiding in child sexual exploitation cases. The addition of “assaults against law enforcement” to the contract has raised fears that the technology may be used against protestors as well. Similarly, the collection of DNA from detainees and asylum applicants by ICE and Customs and Border Protection has raised privacy concerns, with reports of US citizens being mistakenly subjected to DNA testing.
Another questionable procurement by ICE is the purchase of handheld eye scanners from BI² Technologies. Former officials have questioned the necessity of these devices, especially since the agency has limited iris scans on record. The close ties between BI² Technologies’ lobbyist and the Trump administration raise further concerns about the motives behind such purchases.
Lobbying disclosures reveal that Ballard Partners, the lobbyist for BI² Technologies, also represents other tech firms doing business with ICE, including Palantir, SNA International, L3Harris, Babel Street, and a Thomson Reuters subsidiary. This network of relationships raises suspicions about the influence of lobbying on ICE’s procurement decisions.
ICE’s procurement of tools like Graphite, a phone-hacking tool from Israeli spyware firm Paragon Solutions, has also come under scrutiny. The tool has been used by the Italian government to target European journalists, raising concerns about potential misuse of such technology. The Biden administration’s pause on the contract reflects the growing awareness of the risks associated with spyware sold by foreign companies with human rights concerns.
Overall, the rapid pace of ICE’s surveillance technology acquisitions, coupled with potential misuse and lack of oversight, underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability in the use of such technologies by immigration enforcement agencies. Moving forward, it is essential for policymakers and advocates to closely monitor these developments to protect the rights and privacy of individuals affected by these technologies.
