Palantir Tapped to Develop Tech Platform for USCIS Amid Immigration Policy Shifts

Palantir has started working on a tech platform for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) agency, according to a federal contract posted on the U.S. government website. The contract, which was awarded to Palantir at the end of October, is valued at less than $100,000 and involves the implementation of Phase 0 of a vetting platform called VOWS (vetting of wedding-based schemes). The contract is set to be completed by December 9. The VOWS platform is designed to identify potential marriage-based immigration scams, which have been a growing concern for immigration authorities. The platform will likely utilize Palantir's data analytics capabilities to analyze and identify patterns in immigration applications and other data. However, details of the platform's specific features and functionality are scarce, as the contract provides only a general description of the project. USCIS has referred dozens of individuals to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for potential enforcement since September, according to agency records. The agency's decision to partner with Palantir on the VOWS platform suggests a growing emphasis on using data analytics and technology to combat immigration fraud. Palantir has declined to comment on the contract or the nature of the work, and USCIS did not respond to requests for comment for this story. However, industry experts say that the partnership is likely a strategic move by USCIS to leverage Palantir's expertise in data analytics and artificial intelligence to improve its immigration processing capabilities. The VOWS platform is part of a broader trend of government agencies using data analytics and technology to improve their operations and combat fraud. Other agencies, such as the Department of Homeland Security, have also partnered with Palantir on similar projects. The partnership between USCIS and Palantir is likely to have significant implications for the immigration industry, as it could lead to increased scrutiny of immigration applications and more effective identification of potential scams. The contract is currently set to be completed by December 9, but it is unclear what the next steps will be for the VOWS platform. If successful, the platform could be expanded to other agencies or used as a model for other immigration-related projects. However, the partnership has also raised concerns among immigration advocates, who worry about the potential for increased surveillance and targeting of immigrant communities.