US Immigration Agency Expands Arsenal with $70 Million in Purchases

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) has significantly expanded its arsenal, spending over $70 million on firearms, ammunition, body armor, and advanced surveillance technology since the beginning of the current Trump administration. Procurement records reviewed by AFP reveal that this spending spree surpasses previous budgets under both the Biden administration and the first Trump administration.

ICE has been tasked with deporting an unprecedented number of unauthorized migrants from the United States, which has led to these substantial expenditures. From January 20 to October 20, 2024, the agency allocated $9.7 million on small arms and accessories, a stark contrast to the recent surge of purchases. In September alone, ICE ordered $10 million in firearms and magazines from Quantico Tactical Incorporated, alongside an additional $9 million on long guns from manufacturer Geissele Automatics.

Surveillance Technology Investments

Alongside its weaponry, ICE has ramped up spending on surveillance technology, including a notable $3.75 million contract with facial recognition company Clearview AI in September. The agency has also invested in software from companies like Magnet Forensics and Cellebrite, which specialize in extracting data from mobile devices. A substantial $30 million contract with Palantir aims to develop an “Immigration OS,” designed to identify unauthorized migrants and facilitate their voluntary return to their home countries.

Additionally, ICE has reactivated a $2 million contract with Israeli spyware provider Paragon, previously suspended by the Biden administration due to national security concerns. This marks a significant shift in ICE’s operational capabilities, raising alarms about the potential implications for civil liberties.

Concerns Over Surveillance Practices

ICE is also soliciting proposals to enhance its social media surveillance capabilities. A recent request for proposals sought contractors to create a social media monitoring center staffed with nearly 30 analysts, aimed at obtaining “real-time and mission-critical person-specific information” from online platforms. Critics, including Cooper Quintin, a Senior Staff Technologist at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, express concern that extensive social media surveillance could infringe upon free expression rights.

Quintin stated, “If people know that ICE is on social media… looking for anybody who demonstrates any sort of allegiance to their [home] country, that’s going to chill people’s willingness to say anything publicly.” The ability to purchase data from third parties further complicates matters, enabling agencies to monitor large populations without a warrant.

The surge in ICE’s budget has facilitated these expenditures. The agency received an operating budget of $75 billion over four years in the Republican budget passed in July, nearly doubling its previous fiscal year’s budget of $9.6 billion. While other government departments grapple with budget constraints during the ongoing government shutdown, ICE and its parent agency, the Department of Homeland Security, have remained largely unaffected. However, the Office of Detention Oversight, responsible for monitoring standards at detention facilities, has been shut down.

ICE did not respond to requests for comment regarding these initiatives. As the agency continues to expand its capabilities, the implications for civil liberties and community relations remain a critical area of concern.