Story perspectives

Trump Administration Boosts ICE Funding Amid Privacy Concerns

10/18/2025

39 5

Summary

Story summary

The Trump administration is increasing funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to expand surveillance capabilities.
Recent contracts total $1.4 billion for technologies such as eye-scanning and facial-recognition software.
Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) warns these tools could be abused against Americans.
Democratic lawmakers criticize ICE's use of Israeli-made spyware that can hack phones without consent.
A White House official defends the measures as targeting political violence and domestic terrorism, disputing rights violations.

1 of 1

Story summary

The Trump administration is increasing funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to expand surveillance capabilities.
Recent contracts total $1.4 billion for technologies such as eye-scanning and facial-recognition software.
Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) warns these tools could be abused against Americans.
Democratic lawmakers criticize ICE's use of Israeli-made spyware that can hack phones without consent.
A White House official defends the measures as targeting political violence and domestic terrorism, disputing rights violations.