Tech-Powered Deportation Crackdown: ICE's Digital Arsenal
In the first eight months of President Donald Trump's presidency, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) carried out around 350,000 deportations, a figure that includes approximately 200,000 individuals deported by ICE itself. To aid its efforts, ICE has leveraged various technologies capable of identifying and surveilling individuals and communities.
Clearview AI Facial Recognition: A Key Player
One such technology is Clearview AI's facial recognition software, which has been at the forefront of the facial recognition industry. The company, known for scraping a vast database of photos from the internet, promised to be able to identify any face. In July 2020, 404 Media reported that ICE had signed a contract with Clearview AI to support its law enforcement arm, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
"We're proud to be working with HSI to help them keep our communities safe," said Hoan Ton-That, CEO of Clearview AI, in a statement. "Our technology is designed to assist law enforcement agencies in identifying and locating individuals who pose a threat to public safety."
Background and Context
President Trump made countering immigration one of his flagship issues during the 2016 presidential campaign, promising an unprecedented number of deportations. In addition to ICE's efforts, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) carried out more than 132,000 deportations, while almost 18,000 individuals self-deported.
Additional Perspectives
Critics argue that the use of facial recognition technology by law enforcement agencies raises significant concerns about privacy and civil liberties. "The government is using this technology to surveil and target communities of color," said Neema Singh Guliani, senior legislative counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). "It's a recipe for disaster."
Current Status and Next Developments
As ICE continues to rely on these technologies to aid its deportation efforts, concerns about their use are likely to persist. The future of facial recognition technology in law enforcement remains uncertain, with many experts predicting increased scrutiny and potential regulations.
In the meantime, ICE will continue to leverage Clearview AI's software, as well as other technologies, to support its mission. As Ton-That noted, "Our goal is to help law enforcement agencies keep our communities safe, while also ensuring that our technology is used responsibly and in accordance with the law."
Sources
CNN: "Trump administration announces plans for mass deportations"
404 Media: "ICE signs contract with Clearview AI for facial recognition software"
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU): "Facial Recognition Technology: A Threat to Privacy and Civil Liberties"
*Reporting by Techcrunch.*
