ICE Plans Nationwide Surveillance Using Mobile Phone Location Data

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has purchased an advanced surveillance tool from PenLink that aggregates billions of daily location signals from hundreds of millions of mobile phones, enabling detailed monitoring of individuals' movements and social media activity. This acquisition reverses previous Biden administration restrictions that halted such purchases after an inspector general found DHS had violated privacy laws. The tool, described as an "all-in-one" platform, enhances ICE's ability to conduct both forensic and predictive analytics, raising significant concerns about warrantless surveillance and potential constitutional violations. Privacy advocates and Senator Ron Wyden have criticized the move, emphasizing risks to civil liberties and the circumvention of Fourth Amendment protections. Additionally, ICE tracking apps like ICEBlock, which alert users to nearby immigration agents, have come under scrutiny following a recent shooting at a Dallas detention facility, although developers argue these apps are intended to promote safety rather than disrupt law enforcement. These developments highlight ongoing tensions between immigration enforcement, surveillance technology, and privacy rights in the U.S.