Immigration enforcement in the United States has increasingly relied on advanced technology, especially under administrations that prioritize mass deportations. In recent years, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has expanded its use of digital systems to locate, monitor, and investigate undocumented immigrants. From facial recognition to large-scale data analysis, here are the key technologies shaping ICE’s operations.
Facial Recognition with Clearview AI
One of the most notable tools in ICE’s arsenal is Clearview AI, a company specializing in facial recognition. Its software scans images against a massive database built from publicly available online photos. ICE has invested millions in contracts with Clearview, using it primarily to support Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The technology is promoted as useful in cases ranging from child exploitation to officer safety, though privacy advocates remain concerned about its reach.
Spyware from Paragon Solutions
In 2024, ICE entered a multimillion-dollar agreement with Israeli firm Paragon Solutions, known for creating spyware. Initially paused under federal restrictions, the contract was later reinstated, leaving questions about how soon the system will be deployed. Paragon markets itself as an “ethical” spyware provider, yet its involvement in international scandals has sparked criticism. Whether ICE will integrate these tools directly into immigration investigations remains unclear.
Phone Hacking and Forensics
ICE’s HSI division also secured technology from Magnet Forensics, the company behind the Graykey device. This tool enables agents to unlock encrypted smartphones and extract data. The $3 million contract covers software licenses, training, and forensic reporting capabilities. For investigators, this means greater access to evidence stored on mobile devices.
Access to LexisNexis Data
Databases from LexisNexis play another critical role. ICE has used the company’s Accurint Virtual Crime Center to run millions of background checks, searching for patterns and possible immigration violations. In 2025 alone, ICE paid nearly $5 million for access to these records, which include both public and commercial data. Critics argue that this kind of surveillance enables pre-emptive targeting of migrants who have not committed crimes.
Palantir’s Expansive Systems
Perhaps the most powerful technology partner is Palantir, known for large-scale data analytics. Its Investigative Case Management system (ICM) allows ICE to filter individuals by immigration status, physical features, travel history, and other data points. With multimillion-dollar contracts in place, Palantir has also developed ImmigrationOS, a platform designed to track visa overstays and self-deportations in near real time.
Together, these tools illustrate how ICE has built a wide-ranging digital surveillance network. While the government emphasizes public safety, civil liberties groups continue to warn about the ethical risks of combining facial recognition, spyware, and predictive databases in immigration enforcement.
