The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is set to significantly expand its social media surveillance capabilities, aiming to establish a continuous monitoring operation. According to federal contracting records, the agency intends to hire nearly 30 private contractors to analyze posts, images, and messages across various social platforms, transforming online activity into actionable intelligence for enforcement actions, including deportation and arrests.

This initiative involves deploying analysts to two lesser-known ICE targeting centers located in Vermont and Southern California. These specialists will monitor popular platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, sifting through user content to generate leads for enforcement operations. The goal is to develop an ongoing, around-the-clock surveillance system capable of providing real-time intelligence to ICE officials.

The project is currently in the request-for-information phase, a preliminary step where the agency assesses potential contractor interest before launching a formal bidding process. Draft planning documents reveal an ambitious scope: ICE seeks a vendor that can staff the centers continuously, process cases rapidly, and supply state-of-the-art, subscription-based social media monitoring software.

This move reflects a broader trend toward leveraging advanced digital surveillance tools in immigration enforcement. While the specifics of the program remain in development, it underscores ICE’s focus on harnessing social media data to identify and apprehend individuals targeted for deportation.

Ethan Cole

I'm Ethan Cole, a tech journalist with a passion for uncovering the stories behind innovation. I write about emerging technologies, startups, and the digital trends shaping our future. Read me on x.com