The Tech Arsenal That ICE Has Deployed in Minneapolis
By Sheera Frenkel and Aaron Krolik | Published Jan. 30, 2026, Updated Jan. 31, 2026
In Minneapolis and its surrounding areas, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has ramped up its technological capabilities amidst ongoing crackdowns, deploying a suite of advanced surveillance tools to identify and monitor both undocumented immigrants and protesters, current and former Department of Homeland Security officials revealed.
A Startling Encounter
On the morning of January 10, Nicole Cleland, a 56-year-old volunteer with a local watchdog group that monitors immigration enforcement activity, was driving through Richfield, Minnesota—her hometown—when she found herself unexpectedly confronted by an ICE agent. The agent, driving a white Dodge Ram, unexpectedly veered off onto a series of one-way streets and stopped beside her car.
To her surprise, the agent addressed her by name despite never having met her before. He informed Ms. Cleland that he had used facial recognition technology to identify her, and that his body camera was actively recording the encounter. Ms. Cleland was one of at least seven American citizens approached by ICE agents in the Minneapolis area this month who were told they were being logged through facial recognition, according to local activists and verified videos shared on social media.
None of these citizens had given consent for their faces to be recorded, raising concerns about privacy and civil liberties.
Sophisticated Surveillance Tools at Work
Facial recognition is just one part of a broader technological arsenal ICE has deployed in the Minneapolis crackdown. According to three current and former Department of Homeland Security officials who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the confidential nature of the programs, the agency is armed with multiple tools that extend beyond identifying undocumented immigrants.
The technology is also being used to monitor and track U.S. citizens, particularly those involved in protests against ICE’s presence in the region.
Among the facial recognition platforms reportedly in use are two distinct programs: one developed by Clearview AI, a tech company known for its expansive facial recognition database mined from publicly available images, and a newer system called Mobile Fortify.
Beyond facial recognition, ICE is employing cellphone and social media monitoring technologies. These tools help agents surveil online activity and reportedly have the potential to hack into phones, offering real-time access to communications and locations.
In addition, agents are leveraging a sophisticated database created by the data analytics firm Palantir. This platform combines government and commercial information to track individuals’ whereabouts dynamically, significantly enhancing ICE’s ability to locate those it is pursuing.
Broader Implications and Concerns
The deployment of such technologies has sparked debate over government surveillance practices, civil liberties, and the extent to which law enforcement can monitor citizens, especially in protest contexts. Local activists and privacy advocates have expressed alarm at ICE’s use of facial recognition on American citizens without consent.
As ICE conducts its operations in Minneapolis, the integration of advanced tech tools underscores a growing trend of increased surveillance capability within immigration enforcement, blending cutting-edge technology with traditional field operations.
Looking Ahead
For Minneapolis residents and activists, the revelation of ICE’s high-tech surveillance tactics raises questions about privacy rights and the responsibilities of government agencies in balancing security with individual freedoms. ICE’s technological expansion reflects a national tipping point in the use of surveillance technology in law enforcement, a development that continues to draw scrutiny from civil rights organizations and policymakers alike.
Photo Caption: A Border Patrol agent scans the face of a driver in Minneapolis this month. (Credit: Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu, via Getty Images)
Related Reading
- Unrest in Minneapolis: A National Tipping Point
- Protesters Rally Across U.S.
- Interview With Mayor
- Fact-Checking Trump Officials
For full access to the article and related content, subscriptions to The New York Times may be required.
© 2026 The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.
