Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is expanding its immigrant-tracking program by partnering with private surveillance firms, transitioning from a limited pilot to an uncapped initiative with substantial financial incentives, as reported by WIRED.
The original $180 million pilot proposal, as reported by the Intercept, involved hiring investigators for tasks like photographing residences and monitoring activities to locate individuals targeted for removal.
Recent amendments have removed the spending cap, allowing contractors to earn up to $281.25 million individually with an initial task order of at least $7.5 million. This signifies a strategic shift towards a more extensive and permanent surveillance system, indicating ICE’s intent to establish a robust infrastructure supported by advanced technology and field operations.
The proposed program involves contractors handling a large volume of cases, verifying locations through various means including commercial data sources, open-source intelligence, and in-person visits.
This expansion raises concerns about the implications of increased tech-enabled surveillance on privacy and civil liberties, highlighting the growing intersection of immigration enforcement and technology.
Source: WIRED