Immigration and Customs Enforcement has removed the $180 million limit on its proposed program for outsourcing immigrant tracking to private firms. The agency now offers multimillion-dollar guarantees to surveillance companies involved. This shift comes from new contracting records reviewed by WIRED.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), part of the Department of Homeland Security, is broadening its initiative to enlist private surveillance firms in tracking immigrants. Previously, the program was envisioned as a $180 million pilot, but recent updates scrap this cap in favor of an uncapped arrangement.
According to contracting records obtained by WIRED, ICE is providing substantial financial incentives, potentially reaching up to $280 million, to these 'bounty hunter' firms. The guarantees ensure multimillion-dollar payouts for participating companies, aiming to enhance immigrant location efforts through private sector involvement.
This expansion raises concerns around privacy and surveillance, as the program outsources what has traditionally been government-led enforcement. Keywords associated with the development include immigration, privacy, and police practices. The change reflects a push toward greater reliance on commercial surveillance technologies within federal operations.