**Tech-Powered Deportation: The High-Tech Crackdown by ICE**
As we navigate the complexities of our nation’s immigration policy, it’s crucial to understand the role technology plays in identifying, tracking, and deporting undocumented individuals. In this post, we’ll dive into the tech tools Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been using to carry out its deportation efforts.
**Cell-Site Simulators: Tracing Phones Without Consent**
ICE has been employing cell-site simulators, also known as “stingrays,” to track the location of cellphones and identify individuals. These devices mimic the signal of a cell tower, tricking nearby phones into connecting with them and allowing authorities to track the device’s location. The agency has signed contracts worth over $1.5 million with TechOps Specialty Vehicles (TOSV) for these devices.
However, the use of cell-site simulators has raised concerns about privacy and Fourth Amendment protections. The technology can capture the data of innocent bystanders, and authorities have been known to deploy these devices without warrants or keep their use secret in court.
**Facial Recognition: An Identity Tool**
ICE has also been using facial recognition technology to identify individuals. In August 2025, the agency signed a contract with Clearview AI, a facial recognition firm, to help the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) identify victims and offenders in cases related to child sexual exploitation and assaults on law enforcement officers.
The contract is worth $3.75 million and follows previous agreements between ICE and Clearview AI. The agency has also been using a facial recognition app called Cell Fortify, which scans an individual’s driver’s license photo against a database of over 200 million images.
**Data Databases: Accessing Public Records**
ICE has been leveraging the legal analysis and public records database services of LexisNexis to support its investigations. The agency has signed contracts worth over $4.7 million with LexisNexis for access to its database.
The database allows ICE to search for public records, including information on individuals, and has been used to identify and deport undocumented immigrants. A LexisNexis spokesperson emphasized that the company is committed to supporting the responsible and ethical use of its products, including those used by ICE.
**Palantir’s Role in ICE’s Tech Arsenal**
Palantir, a data analytics and surveillance technology company, has also been working with ICE. The agency has signed several contracts with Palantir, including a $18.5 million deal for a database system called “Investigative Case Management” (ICM).
ICM allows ICE to filter individuals based on their immigration status, physical characteristics, criminal affiliation, location information, and other data points. Palantir’s relationship with ICE has been controversial, with some critics arguing that the company’s technology is being used to facilitate mass surveillance and deportation.
**Other Technologies: A Comprehensive Approach**
In addition to these technologies, ICE has been using other tools to track and deport undocumented individuals. These include Magnet Forensics, a digital forensics company, and license plate readers, which allow authorities to track the location of vehicles and identify individuals.
As we continue to navigate the complex landscape of immigration and technology, it’s crucial to consider the ethical implications of these tools and ensure that they are used responsibly and with transparency. The tech-powered deportation efforts by ICE have raised concerns about privacy, surveillance, and the impact on communities affected by deportation efforts.
