ICE is spending millions of dollars on iris scanners, expanding its arsenal of tech tools
The Department of Homeland Security is significantly increasing its use of iris scanners as part of its immigration enforcement efforts. A recent $25 million contract with BI2 Technologies aims to enhance the agency's ability to identify undocumented immigrants. This expansion has raised privacy concerns among experts regarding the collection of biometric data from detainees.
- ▪DHS awarded a $25 million no-bid contract to BI2 Technologies for iris scanning technology.
- ▪The agency requested over 1,500 iris scanners and access to a mobile app for storing iris scans.
- ▪Privacy experts have raised concerns about the potential misuse of biometric data collected from immigrants.
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Immigration ICE is spending millions of dollars on iris scanners, expanding its arsenal of tech tools May 27, 20265:00 AM ET Meg Anderson A federal immigration agent uses facial recognition software to confirm an asylum seeker's identity prior to an immigration hearing on July 30, 2025, in New York. In addition, DHS is expanding its use of iris scanners to help quickly identify undocumented immigrants. Olga Fedorova/AP hide caption toggle caption Olga Fedorova/AP The Department of Homeland Security is expanding its capacity to scan irises as part of its mass deportation efforts, a move that has raised concerns among privacy experts that the agency, flush with an influx of funding, is gathering biometric data from people it detains.
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