ICE Is Paying Palantir $30 Million to Build ‘ImmigrationOS’ Surveillance Platform | WIRED

ICE's New Surveillance Platform

ICE is paying Palantir $30 million to develop "ImmigrationOS," a surveillance platform enhancing its case management system. The system will reportedly allow searches based on numerous personal details. This is an addition to a 2022 contract already increased five times.

Data Sources and Capabilities

While the exact data sources remain unspecified, ImmigrationOS will reportedly leverage existing ICE data and allows searches across "hundreds of different, highly specific categories." This includes personal details like hair and eye color, scars, tattoos, and even license plate reader data, providing location tracking information. The system's capabilities were partially revealed in a 2016 privacy assessment, but details of advancements since then are unclear.

Context and Concerns

This contract comes amidst intensified deportation efforts under the Trump administration. Recent actions include deportations to El Salvador, revocation of temporary parole for over half a million people (including US citizens by error), and declaring thousands of these individuals dead in Social Security records to cut off benefits.

A federal judge temporarily blocked the revocation of parole authorizations. The White House criticized the judge's ruling.

• ImmigrationOS raises concerns about data privacy and the potential for misuse of personal information.
• The expansion of immigration enforcement tools has sparked criticism.
• The situation highlights the ongoing debate around immigration policies and government surveillance practices.