Unlocking the Power of Technology: How Federal Immigration Officials are Using Advanced Tools in Nebraska

As President Donald Trump begins his term, he is deploying federal agents for mass deportations. To support this effort, he has access to a wealth of technology designed to track and monitor immigrants.

Since 2020, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Citizenship and Immigration Services have invested $7.8 billion in various immigration technologies from 263 companies. These tools include biometric tracking methods like facial recognition and fingerprint scanning, as well as location tracking via software and ankle monitors.

The agencies can also access tools for investigating emails, texts, and files on locked phones. They partner with data firms to manage large amounts of information on immigrants living in the U.S.

The Trump administration’s use of technology isn’t entirely new. Much of this spending started during President Joe Biden’s time in office. Many of these tools were initially created for investigating drug trafficking and other crimes, stemming from the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.

According to Marina Shepelsky, an immigration attorney from New York, Trump’s raids are focused on four main groups of immigrants. Those with criminal convictions are the top target, but others who have a deportation order or entered during Biden’s administration are also at risk.

Shepelsky notes that anyone in the U.S. unlawfully, such as those without a visa or with an expired one, could be affected.

The Department of Homeland Security has various uses for AI technology but is likely prioritizing the examination of immigration records. This includes comparing information from visa applications, criminal records, and social media.

Federal agents might also use predictive AI modeling to evaluate the chances of individuals overstaying their visas or engaging in criminal actions. This involves collecting data on immigration status, compliance history, and assigning a “hurricane score” to assess the risk of someone fleeing immigration proceedings.

Shepelsky cautions about the biases inherent in AI algorithms, which can unfairly target specific demographics, leading to racial profiling.

Peter Salib, a law professor at the University of Houston, believes AI could help streamline immigration processes. While it could effectively identify serious offenders, he distinguishes between having access to technology and the intention behind its use.

Salib highlights that while the Biden administration had those tools, it did not initiate the same level of deportation as seen under Trump. He suggests that merely avoiding the use of these tools doesn’t prevent potential misuse in the future.

Despite ethical concerns surrounding AI, it can offer improvements in border security and citizenship processes, Shepelsky adds. For example, it has enhanced visa processing speeds and identified fraudulent documents.

Technology is likely to remain a key component of Trump’s immigration policies and broader agenda, says Salib. “This is the world we live in now,” he states. “Our choices revolve more around policy than the technologies available.”