Web Desk
The U.S. government, under President Donald Trump, is rapidly expanding its use of artificial intelligence (AI) and surveillance tools to crack down on immigration.
This sweeping effort, backed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has triggered alarm among civil rights advocates and digital privacy groups.
Facial recognition scanners are now found in more public areas.
AI programs scan social media posts, while robotic patrols monitor the southern border.
Supporters argue this boosts national security. But critics say it risks lives and freedoms.
AI Goes Beyond Immigration
Saira Hussain from the Electronic Frontier Foundation warns the government’s reach is extending beyond immigration cases.
“Now more officials are gaining access to this data,” she says, “targeting more than just immigrants.”
One program in particular is drawing fire: the “Catch and Revoke” initiative.
Rolled out in March by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, it uses AI to monitor public speech made by foreign nationals—especially students and tourists.
If AI flags someone as expressing sympathy for banned groups, their visa can be revoked.
Over 300 people have already lost their visas under this system. Critics say the technology is unreliable and easy to misuse.
Wrongful Arrests and Dangerous Errors
AI’s flaws are no longer theoretical. Two high-profile cases show what can go wrong:
Jonathan Guerrero, a U.S. citizen, was wrongly detained in Philadelphia.
Jensy Machado was pulled over at gunpoint in Virginia—just for driving to work.
Both were innocent. Both were victims of faulty AI.
Paromita Shah of Just Futures Law says, “These aren’t tech glitches. They’re civil rights violations.”
Bringing Back Controversial Tactics
In January, Trump signed an executive order hinting at the return of Rapid DNA testing at the border.
The method was previously abandoned due to serious concerns over accuracy and privacy.
Still, it appears to be coming back as the administration pushes for faster deportation processes.
Tech analyst Tekendra Parmar warns that speed is taking priority over justice. “The tech is flawed,” he says.
“But AI gives the illusion of fairness. It’s just rubber-stamp deportation dressed up as data.”
A Widening Surveillance Net
Federal surveillance isn’t just targeting border crossers.
According to a 2021 Georgetown University Law Center study, ICE has access to data from driver’s licenses and utility bills—covering nearly 75% of the adult U.S. population.
Emerald Tse, a privacy expert at Georgetown Law, puts it bluntly: “These systems don’t stop at immigrants. They touch your family, your neighbors, your co-workers. This is about building a surveillance state.”
Local Police, Federal Tools
The administration is also renewing its push for 287(g) agreements.
These deals let local police act as immigration officers, giving them access to the same federal AI tools and surveillance networks.
The worry? Local law enforcement, without proper oversight, could misuse the tech—further endangering communities.
Hussain says the danger is scale. “When you give dozens of agencies access to personal data, the risk multiplies. Every point of access is a point of failure.”
