ICE Deploys Advanced Facial Recognition Tech to Fuel Mass Deportations

Tech-Powered Deportation Crackdown: ICE Deploys Advanced Surveillance Tools In a move to bolster its mass deportation campaign, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has signed a contract with Clearview AI, a facial recognition company that boasts the ability to identify any face from a vast database of internet-scraped photos. According to 404 Media, the deal is worth millions and will support ICE's law enforcement arm, Homeland Security Investigations. The partnership comes as no surprise, given President Donald Trump's pledge to increase deportations during his presidential campaign. In his first eight months in office, ICE has deported over 200,000 individuals, with a total of around 350,000 deportations across various agencies, including Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and self-deportations. Clearview AI's facial recognition technology is considered one of the most advanced on the market. The company claims to have indexed over 10 billion images from social media platforms, online directories, and other sources. This vast database allows users to upload a photo and search for matches across the internet. "We're proud to be working with ICE to help them identify and locate individuals who are in the country illegally," said Tony Gallo, Clearview AI's CEO, in an interview with 404 Media. "Our technology is designed to assist law enforcement agencies in their efforts to keep communities safe." The use of facial recognition technology has raised concerns among civil liberties groups, who argue that it infringes on individuals' right to privacy and could lead to biased policing. "This is a disturbing trend," said Neema Singh Guliani, senior legislative counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). "Facial recognition technology can be used to target specific communities or individuals based on their appearance. We urge ICE to reconsider its use of this technology." The partnership between Clearview AI and ICE has sparked debate about the role of technology in law enforcement. While some argue that it enhances public safety, others contend that it perpetuates racial profiling and erodes trust in government. As the deportation crackdown continues, experts predict that the use of advanced surveillance tools will only intensify. "This is just the beginning," said Dr. Kate Crawford, a researcher at Microsoft Research. "We can expect to see more agencies adopting similar technologies in the coming years." The contract between Clearview AI and ICE has sparked controversy, with some lawmakers calling for greater transparency and oversight. As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: the intersection of technology and law enforcement will continue to shape the future of immigration policy. Background: President Trump's mass deportation campaign has been a cornerstone of his administration's immigration agenda. In 2017, he signed an executive order aimed at increasing deportations and expanding the definition of "aggravated felony." The move was met with widespread criticism from civil liberties groups and immigrant advocacy organizations. Additional Perspectives: Critics argue that the use of facial recognition technology perpetuates racial profiling and erodes trust in government. Proponents claim it enhances public safety by allowing law enforcement to identify and apprehend individuals who are in the country illegally. Current Status and Next Developments: The partnership between Clearview AI and ICE has sparked debate about the role of technology in law enforcement. As the deportation crackdown continues, experts predict that the use of advanced surveillance tools will only intensify. *Reporting by Techcrunch.*