The Tech Arsenal That Could Power Trump's Immigration Crackdown
The Trump administration plans to enhance immigration enforcement using advanced surveillance technologies, having spent $7.8 billion since 2020, raising privacy concerns while increasing demand for such solutions.
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The Trump administration is poised to utilize a vast array of surveillance technologies to enforce its immigration policies, which aim to significantly increase deportations. Since 2020, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Citizenship and Immigration Services have spent approximately $7.8 billion on various tech tools from 263 companies. These tools include real-time tracking apps, biometric databases, and advanced investigative technologies capable of accessing personal data from locked devices. The administration's approach marks a departure from previous policies, with Trump emphasizing immediate action against illegal immigration. Technologies such as GPS ankle monitors and apps that require asylum seekers to log their locations are already in use, with about 180,000 undocumented immigrants currently monitored. The administration's reliance on these tools raises privacy concerns, as they can access extensive personal data, including utility bills and driver’s license information. While some experts question the effectiveness of these technologies for mass deportations, the demand for surveillance solutions is expected to grow, benefiting tech companies involved in border security and immigration enforcement. The Trump administration's strategy reflects a broader trend of increasing reliance on technology in immigration control, paralleling similar developments in Europe and elsewhere.
- The Trump administration plans to leverage advanced surveillance technologies for immigration enforcement.
- ICE and Citizenship and Immigration Services have spent $7.8 billion on tech tools since 2020.
- Technologies in use include GPS tracking devices and biometric databases.
- The approach raises significant privacy concerns regarding data access and monitoring.
- The demand for surveillance solutions is expected to increase under the new administration.
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