Wed Nov 27 02:59:48 UTC 2024: ## Trump’s Return Signals Intensified Immigration Crackdown Using AI-Powered Surveillance

**Washington D.C. -** President-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming administration plans to leverage advanced surveillance technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), to significantly ramp up its crackdown on undocumented immigrants. This was revealed in an exclusive report by The Associated Press, citing internal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) documents.

The DHS utilizes several tools, including an algorithm dubbed the “Hurricane Score,” which assesses the likelihood of immigrants absconding from supervision. This score, based on factors like past violations and travel documents, informs – but does not dictate – decisions on detention and surveillance. Additionally, a mobile app called SmartLINK, employing facial recognition and geolocation, tracks immigrants enrolled in the Alternatives to Detention program. This program, encompassing nearly 200,000 individuals, allows immigrants to remain in the US while their cases are pending, under strict surveillance.

Concerns have been raised by immigrant rights groups, including Just Futures Law, regarding the fairness and potential biases of these AI-driven systems, and the extensive data collection by SmartLINK. While DHS assures its commitment to transparency and adherence to civil rights guidelines, the possibility of waivers to these guidelines under a Trump administration remains. Trump himself has vowed to overturn the Biden administration’s AI policy.

Private prison companies, such as The GEO Group and CoreCivic, stand to significantly benefit from an expanded immigration enforcement program. Executives from these companies have publicly expressed optimism about increased contracts under a Trump administration, anticipating a dramatic scaling up of surveillance and detention programs.

Over 100 civil society groups have urged the Office of Management and Budget to ensure DHS complies with existing AI guidelines. The incoming administration’s specific plans for deporting an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants remain unclear, but the use of AI-powered surveillance offers a potential solution to the logistical challenges involved. The potential for misuse of the collected data remains a major concern.

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