Analysts and artificial intelligence: This is ICE’s plan to reach migrants through social media

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is ramping up its digital surveillance efforts with a controversial new initiative aimed at monitoring social media activity to identify and deport undocumented immigrants.

Monitoring centers in Vermont and California

The agency is seeking to hire at least 30 private analysts and investigators to staff two dedicated monitoring centers—one in Williston, Vermont, and another in Santa Ana, California—as part of a round-the-clock operation.

According to federal contracting documents, the goal is to build a 24/7 intelligence-gathering team capable of scanning platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter).

These analysts will comb through public posts, comments, photos, and messages to extract personal data that could include addresses, vehicles, known associates, and other identifying details. This information will then be used to support ICE’s enforcement actions, including raids and deportations.

ICE’s plan to detect migrants through social media

“The goal of this effort is to conduct a cross-source analysis to obtain real-time, individual-specific information, which may include, but is not limited to, addresses, vehicles, associates, among other things,” ICE said in a report.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement will also be able to obtain information about each individual’s property, phone bills, utility bills, and other vital information. However, the federal plan prevents investigators from creating fake profiles to interact with people online.

ICE emphasized that the program is designed to prioritize cases based on perceived threat levels. Top priority will go to individuals suspected of posing national security or terrorism risks, followed by those with significant criminal records—even if the offenses are non-violent or considered minor.

The agency also plans to collect additional data such as property records, phone bills, and utility accounts to build comprehensive profiles on individuals of interest.

The use of fake profile to snare undocumented individuals

However, there are legal limits. The federal guidelines prohibit ICE contractors from creating fake profiles to interact with users online, a tactic that has raised ethical and constitutional concerns in past surveillance efforts.

Critics argue that this expansion of ICE’s digital reach could infringe on civil liberties and disproportionately impact immigrant communities. Civil rights groups have warned that the use of social media as a surveillance tool risks misinterpretation, overreach, and potential violations of free speech.

The move comes amid a broader push by the Trump administration to intensify immigration enforcement. With the 2026 election cycle looming, the White House has made clear that mass deportations remain a central policy goal—and digital surveillance is becoming a key part of that strategy.

As the program rolls out, immigration advocates are urging individuals—especially those applying for visas or green cards—to review their public social media profiles and seek legal guidance if needed.

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