Trump-Linked Lobbying Firm's Clients Secure Lucrative No-Bid ICE Contracts

Clients of a Trump-connected lobbying firm keep landing no-bid ICE contracts A Massachusetts-based company, BI² Technologies, has secured a lucrative contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to provide biometric technology for the agency's deportation efforts. The deal, worth up to $10 million, is part of the Trump administration's increasing reliance on surveillance and biometric technology in its immigration crackdown. According to public records, BI² hired Ballard Partners, a lobbying firm with deep ties to the Trump administration, shortly after President Donald Trump's election in 2016. Susie Wiles, Trump's chief of staff at the time, helped open Ballard's Washington office, while Attorney General Pam Bondi is a former employee of the firm. "We were looking for ways to get our technology in front of the right people," said BI² Technologies' CEO, Michael Mestrovich. "Ballard Partners had a reputation for being able to navigate the complexities of federal contracting." The biometric technology developed by BI² uses iris-scanning systems to identify individuals. The system has been touted as a more accurate and efficient method of identification than traditional fingerprinting. "This is a game-changer in the world of immigration enforcement," said Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies. "The use of biometric technology will help ICE to more effectively target and remove individuals who are in the country illegally." However, critics have raised concerns about the potential misuse of such technology. "We're creating a surveillance state without any oversight or accountability," said Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY). "This is exactly what we should be concerned about when it comes to the use of biometric technology in immigration enforcement." The contract with BI² Technologies was awarded through a no-bid process, which has raised questions about the transparency and fairness of the bidding process. "The lack of competition in this contract is concerning," said Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR). "We need to ensure that taxpayer dollars are being used efficiently and effectively." As the use of biometric technology continues to grow in immigration enforcement, experts predict a significant increase in the number of contracts awarded to companies like BI² Technologies. "This is just the beginning," said Mestrovich. "We're excited about the potential for our technology to be used in other areas of government and beyond." In response to concerns about transparency and oversight, ICE officials have stated that they will be implementing additional safeguards to ensure the responsible use of biometric technology. "We take these concerns seriously and are committed to ensuring that our use of biometric technology is transparent and accountable," said an ICE spokesperson. *Reporting by Motherjones.*