Federal officials are building a new, sprawling database using immigration tracking software. This database, called ImmigrationOS, will track undocumented migrants living in the United States. Tech company Palantir Technologies is working together with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to develop this new immigration tracking software.
The new software system will catalogue undocumented individuals the federal government is aware of. The software will also prioritize individuals for detention and removal, specifically targeting people suspected of connections to organized crime or having overstayed their tourism visas. The system will also track individuals who leave the country voluntarily so that resources aren’t wasted on detaining or removing them.
The ImmigrationOS project reflects the shift towards digitization and technology-focused methods that make the government more efficient. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is already using another privately-run database for immigration enforcement operations. ImmigrationOS will consolidate these databases to make enforcement efforts easier.
ICE officials explained systems like ImmigrationOS are needed to combat groups that present a unique threat to national security. The software will also help immigration officials keep up with the detention and removal demands of the Trump administration, therefore decreasing the chances for erroneous detentions. Critics argue these systems could be repurposed to tracking American citizens, since it’s unclear what limitations there are on its scope.
Systems like ImmigrationOS, coupled with the increasingly strict immigration landscape could greatly streamline the immigration enforcement process, from initial identification to final removal.
As always, ImmigrationUSA actively monitors ongoing U.S. immigration news. If you have questions about any U.S. immigration related issue, contact us. Working with an experienced attorney ensures you get the right advice based on the most recent laws. In an ever-evolving immigration policy landscape, we’re with you every step of the way.