Within days of Trump’s presidential win, ICE sought out contractors to enlarge, transform, and modernize the agency’s ability to track, monitor, and surveil noncitizens.
By Maurizio Guerrero, Prism
The U.S. federal agency in charge of detaining and deporting immigrants is poised to expand to unprecedented levels the sprawling surveillance apparatus left by the Biden administration.
Within days of President Donald Trump’s victory in November, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) posted several notices on the federal procurement website seeking contractors to provide technological tools to enlarge, transform, and modernize the agency’s capabilities to track, monitor, and surveil noncitizens.
ICE, an agency with a long record of rights violations, torture, and abuse in its detention facilities and deportation practices, now has the full support and power of the Trump administration, which on the campaign trail promised to carry out mass deportations. Just days into the Trump administration, ICE has carried out immigration raids nationwide and rescinded previous guidance regarding sensitive locations, allowing the agency to carry out immigration enforcement at schools, hospitals, and places of worship.

These actions come on the heels of the passage of the Laken Riley Act, which allows ICE to deport people accused of committing minor crimes such as shoplifting, even if they are not found guilty, violating the constitutional right to due process. The bill was approved with the support of Democratic lawmakers, including 10 senators and 48 House representatives.
Animated by Trump’s nativist zeal, ICE’s likely dramatic expansion of surveillance is also fueled by the interests of private contractors, incentivized to ensnare as many people as possible to increase their profits.
Recent Posts
Mayor Mamdani’s First Day, A Zero Hour Conversation With Richard Wolff
July 2, 2025
Take Action Now If elected, what would Mayor Mamdani do on his first day in City Hall? How would a democratic socialist govern as a big-city mayor?……
The U.S. Is Funding A Bloodbath At Gaza Aid Centers
July 2, 2025
Take Action Now The admin just gave $30M to GHF, the organization at the center of charges that Israel is weaponizing assistance and shooting at…
Feeding The Warfare State
July 1, 2025
Take Action Now We Lose, the Weapons Makers WinBy William D. Hartung, Tom Dispatch The Senate is on the verge of passing the distinctly misnamed…
The Rage Of Billionaires And The Frenzy To Stop Zohran Mamdani From Becoming New York’s Mayor
June 30, 2025
Take Action Now The constellation of forces now regrouping with a vengeance includes titans of Wall Street, enormous real estate interests,…