ICE’s New AI System to Monitor Immigrants’ Records and Movements - What You Need to Do Now

The American Immigration Council recently reported that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has entered into a $30 million contract with Palantir Technologies to create a new artificial intelligence platform called ImmigrationOS. Palantir, co-founded by Peter Thiel, is slated to deliver the prototype in September 2025, with the system expected to remain in place at least through 2027.

This new platform is designed to pull data from multiple government databases—including passport records, Social Security files, IRS data, and even license plate readers—to identify, track, and deport noncitizens. While ICE claims the system will help prioritize “violent criminals” and track individuals who overstay visas, many advocates warn that the technology could have far-reaching consequences for ordinary immigrants, employers, and their families.

How ICE Could Monitor Your Workforce

If you employ foreign nationals, particularly on temporary visas, ImmigrationOS could bring heightened surveillance into the workplace:

• Increased scrutiny of visa holders. Workers may be flagged due to database inconsistencies, tax reporting errors, or even minor discrepancies.
• Data-sharing across agencies. Payroll, tax, and immigration records could all be cross-referenced automatically, leaving little room for error.
• Faster enforcement timelines. The system’s “lifecycle management” may accelerate deportation proceedings once a person is flagged.

Action point: Employers should proactively audit HR and payroll files to ensure absolute accuracy and consistency before this system goes live.

How ICE Could Track Individual Moves

For individuals, ImmigrationOS represents a new level of monitoring:

• Constant data checks. From Social Security to IRS records to license plate readers, everyday interactions could feed into the system.
• Opaque flagging process. It may not be clear why someone was flagged—or how to challenge it—until it’s too late.
• Civil liberties concerns. Automated systems often contain built-in biases that disproportionately impact certain communities.

Action point: Individuals should carry documents demonstrating their lawful status in the US, keep copies of all immigration-related filings, and seek legal advice if they believe they’ve been incorrectly flagged.

Bottom Line: Prepare Now

ImmigrationOS marks a significant shift in immigration enforcement: AI-driven monitoring of movements, records, and patterns is about to expand to an unprecedented scale.

• Employers should ensure HR, payroll, and immigration compliance systems are airtight to protect workers and the company.
• Immigrants and families should be aware that minor errors or mismatches in records may now trigger enforcement attention—and should seek counsel immediately if problems arise.

Attorneys at MHB continue to monitor developments closely. For now, the message is clear: ICE is investing in surveillance tools that bring immigration monitoring to a new scale. Both businesses and individuals should prepare.

Author: Lola Zakharova is an attorney with MacDonald Hoague & Bayless (MHB), where she focuses on immigration law. She advises individuals and employers on complex immigration matters, including employment-based visas, family immigration, compliance, and litigation before U.S. immigration agencies and federal courts.

Source: The American Immigration Council