US Immigration Agency Boosts Arms and Surveillance Spending

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency in the United States is significantly increasing its spending on weapons and surveillance technology, reflecting a shift towards a more militarized approach to immigration enforcement. According to procurement records reviewed by AFP, ICE has allocated tens of millions of dollars for firearms, ammunition, body armor, and advanced surveillance systems. This uptick in spending is markedly higher than during both the Biden presidency and the initial Trump administration.

Since taking office on January 20, 2021, the agency has issued over $70 million in purchase orders specifically for small arms and related accessories. By comparison, from January 20 to October 20, 2024, ICE spent just $9.7 million in total on these items. Notably, in September alone, ICE placed orders totaling $10 million for firearms and magazines from Quantico Tactical Incorporated, alongside another $9 million for long guns and accessories from Geissele Automatics. Additionally, the agency invested more than $10 million in body armor and related equipment during the same month.

Surveillance and Monitoring Expansion

The increase in hardware purchases coincides with a broader investment in surveillance technology. In September, ICE allocated $3.75 million for software and services from Clearview AI, a company known for its facial recognition capabilities. Over the past nine months, ICE has also acquired tools from Magnet Forensics and Cellebrite, both specializing in data extraction from mobile devices. Furthermore, a $30 million contract with Palantir Technologies aims to develop an “Immigration OS,” which is designed to identify unauthorized migrants and assist with tracking their voluntary return to their home countries.

Notably, ICE has reactivated a $2 million contract with Paragon, an Israeli spyware provider. This contract had been previously placed under review by the Biden administration due to concerns over national security risks associated with such technology.

The agency is also seeking proposals to enhance its social media surveillance capabilities. A request published in early October called for contractors to create a monitoring center staffed with nearly 30 analysts to gather real-time information from online platforms. Critics, including Cooper Quintin, a Senior Staff Technologist at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, have raised alarms over the potential chilling effect of such surveillance on free expression.

Increased Funding Amid Government Shutdown

ICE’s spending spree is largely fueled by a substantial budget increase approved by Congress. The Republican-led budget, passed in July, granted ICE an operating budget of $75 billion over four years, averaging $18.8 billion per year. This is nearly double the agency’s operating budget of $9.6 billion in the previous fiscal year. While other government departments are experiencing budget cuts due to the ongoing shutdown, ICE and its parent agency, the Department of Homeland Security, remain largely unaffected.

A spokesperson confirmed that the Office of Detention Oversight, responsible for monitoring standards at detention facilities, has been shut down. This development raises further questions about the agency’s operations and oversight capabilities in light of its expanding budget and military-style acquisitions.

As ICE continues to enhance its surveillance and enforcement capabilities, the implications for civil liberties and human rights remain a topic of significant concern among advocates and policymakers alike.