In the initial eight months of President Donald Trump’s administration, the United States witnessed approximately 350,000 deportations. This figure encompasses actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which accounted for around 200,000 deportations; Customs and Border Protection (CBP), responsible for over 132,000; and nearly 18,000 self-deportations. Central to this surge is ICE’s deployment of advanced technologies aimed at identifying and monitoring undocumented individuals.
Clearview AI’s Facial Recognition Technology
Clearview AI has emerged as a pivotal tool in ICE’s operations. The company offers facial recognition capabilities by compiling a vast database of images sourced from the internet. In September 2025, ICE entered into a $3.75 million contract with Clearview AI to bolster its Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) unit. This collaboration focuses on identifying individuals involved in child exploitation cases and assaults against law enforcement personnel. This partnership builds upon previous agreements, including a $1.1 million contract in September 2024 for forensic software and an earlier $800,000 deal for enterprise licenses.
Paragon Solutions’ Spyware Integration
In September 2024, ICE signed a $2 million contract with Israeli spyware developer Paragon Solutions. However, the Biden administration promptly issued a stop work order to assess the contract’s compliance with an executive order regulating the government’s use of commercial spyware. After nearly a year of review, the Trump administration lifted the suspension in September 2025, effectively reactivating the contract. The agreement encompasses a comprehensive solution, including licensing, hardware, maintenance, and training.
Magnet Forensics’ GrayKey Device
ICE’s HSI unit has also invested in phone-hacking technology. In September 2025, the agency signed a $3 million contract with Magnet Forensics for software licenses related to their GrayKey device. GrayKey is designed to unlock smartphones and extract data, facilitating the recovery of digital evidence and the generation of forensic reports crucial to national security and public safety missions.
Use of Stingray Technology
Between 2017 and 2019, ICE deployed cell-site simulators, commonly known as stingrays, at least 466 times. These devices mimic cell towers to intercept mobile phone signals, enabling the tracking of individuals’ locations. While ICE stated that stingrays were not used for civil immigration investigations, their deployment has raised concerns about potential overreach and the inadvertent collection of data from innocent individuals.
Palantir’s Data Mining Software
Palantir Technologies has provided ICE with data mining software instrumental in deportation operations. Documents from 2017 reveal that ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations utilized Palantir’s Investigative Case Management (ICM) system to build profiles of immigrant children and their families, leading to arrests and deportations. This contradicts Palantir’s earlier statements denying involvement in deportation activities.
Ethical and Legal Implications
The integration of these technologies into ICE’s operations has sparked significant ethical and legal debates. The use of facial recognition and spyware raises questions about privacy rights and potential misuse. For instance, Paragon Solutions, which markets itself as an ethical spyware provider, faced scrutiny over its contract with ICE, especially given the agency’s controversial practices. Additionally, watchdog reports have highlighted instances where ICE and other agencies conducted warrantless surveillance using stingray devices, potentially violating constitutional protections against unreasonable searches.
Public and Corporate Response
Public reaction to ICE’s technological strategies has been mixed. In July 2025, the app ICEBlock gained popularity, allowing users to anonymously report ICE sightings, reflecting public concern over the agency’s activities. Conversely, some tech companies have distanced themselves from ICE. In September 2020, Hootsuite terminated its contract with ICE following internal disagreements and public backlash, underscoring the contentious nature of corporate involvement in immigration enforcement.
Conclusion
ICE’s adoption of advanced technologies has significantly enhanced its capacity to identify, monitor, and deport undocumented individuals. However, this technological integration has ignited debates over privacy, ethics, and the potential for governmental overreach. As these tools become more sophisticated, it is imperative to balance national security objectives with the protection of individual rights and civil liberties.
