ICE Detention Center Expansion Faces Community Resistance Amid Tech Surveillance Concerns
The Trump Administration's efforts to expand immigrant detention capacity are facing significant pushback from local communities and government leaders, even as concerns rise over the use of biometric surveillance technology by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). President Donald Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" allocated $45 billion to ICE for new detention centers, part of a larger $170 million investment in immigration enforcement, according to Time.
ICE has already moved to acquire buildings in at least eight states, including the purchase of properties in Maryland for $102 million, Pennsylvania for $84 million, and Arizona for $70 million last month, Time reported. However, these plans are meeting resistance from communities and would-be sellers.
Meanwhile, a group of Senate Democrats, led by Sen. Markey, introduced the ICE Out of Our Faces Act, which aims to ban ICE and CBP from using facial and voice recognition and other biometric surveillance technologies, Ars Technica reported. The bill would also require the deletion of existing data and allow individuals and state attorneys general to sue for violations. Rep. Jayapal, a supporter of the bill, argued that these technologies create a "dangerous surveillance dragnet" targeting both citizens and non-citizens, according to Ars Technica.
In other news, Canada and France are opening consulates in Greenland, joining Iceland and the US in establishing a diplomatic presence, BBC World reported. This move is seen as a show of support for Greenland's autonomy amid past US interest in acquiring the territory. These missions represent a historic expansion of foreign engagement and signal continued NATO support, with Canada's decision to expedite its consulate opening, initially planned for late 2025, reflecting a strengthened Arctic foreign policy.
Additionally, the recently released Epstein documents reveal a network of powerful men, including prominent figures in tech and politics, who actively resisted the MeToo movement, The Verge reported. This coordinated effort, exposed through leaked communications, highlights the lengths to which these individuals went to maintain their influence and evade accountability, raising critical questions about power dynamics and social justice.
Finally, multiple news sources highlight the financial struggles faced by many Olympians, exemplified by U.S. synchronized swimmer Daniella Ramirez, who, despite winning a silver medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics, relies on social media influencing to cover her expenses, Fortune reported. Ramirez earns significantly more through platforms like TikTok and Instagram than as an Olympic athlete, a reality common among Olympians who lack lucrative sponsorship deals enjoyed by high-profile athletes.
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