{"id":96432,"date":"2026-02-20T20:32:48","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T23:32:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tech.einnews.com\/article\/894209849"},"modified":"2026-02-20T20:32:48","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T23:32:48","slug":"house-democrats-question-dhs-ice-use-of-surveillance-tech","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/2026\/02\/20\/house-democrats-question-dhs-ice-use-of-surveillance-tech\/","title":{"rendered":"House Democrats question DHS, ICE use of surveillance tech"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>    <!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.5 (Yoast SEO v24.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ --> <title>House Democrats question DHS, ICE use of surveillance tech | FedScoop<\/title>                    <!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. --> <\/p>\n<p> <!-- Google Tag Manager --> <!-- End Google Tag Manager --> <\/p>\n<p>  <a href=\"https:\/\/fedscoop.com\/dhs-ice-surveillance-tech-democrat-criticism\/#main\" class=\"skip-to-content-link visually-hidden-focusable\">Skip to main content<\/a> <\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--top ad--top-desktop\">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p> <main id=\"main\" role=\"main\"> <\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--top ad--top-mobile\">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section id=\"stickybar\" class=\"stickybar stickybar--event js-stickybar\"> <button class=\"stickybar__close js-stickybar-close\" aria-controls=\"stickybar\">  <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Close<\/span> <\/button> <\/section>\n<article class=\"single-article content\">\n<div class=\"single-article__container js-single-article-content\">\n<header class=\"single-article__header \">\n<div class=\"single-article__header-content\">\n<p> More than a dozen lawmakers sent a letter to the law enforcement agency, inquiring about policies for the collection and analysis of cellphone data. <\/p>\n<p> <!-- Listen to this article section --> <!-- Audio Element --><br \/>\n<audio id=\"audio-player\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-tts-cdn.api.scpnewsgrp.com\/fedscoop\/88868\/english.openai.mp3\"><\/audio> <\/p>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p>Listen to this article<\/p>\n<p> <!-- Countdown Timer --> <\/p>\n<p>0:00<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <!-- Tooltip --> <\/p>\n<p> <span id=\"tts-tooltip\">Learn more.<\/span> <span> This feature uses an automated voice, which may result in occasional errors in pronunciation, tone, or sentiment. <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <!-- End of audio player --> <\/div>\n<div class=\"single-article__cover-wrap\">\n<figure class=\"single-article__cover\"> <img data-opt-id=758893364  fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" fifu-lazy=\"1\" fifu-data-sizes=\"auto\" fifu-data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/fedscoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-2197554610.jpg?w=1012&ssl=1&w=75&resize=75&ssl=1 75w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/fedscoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-2197554610.jpg?w=1012&ssl=1&w=100&resize=100&ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/fedscoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-2197554610.jpg?w=1012&ssl=1&w=150&resize=150&ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/fedscoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-2197554610.jpg?w=1012&ssl=1&w=240&resize=240&ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/fedscoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-2197554610.jpg?w=1012&ssl=1&w=320&resize=320&ssl=1 320w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/fedscoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-2197554610.jpg?w=1012&ssl=1&w=500&resize=500&ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/fedscoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-2197554610.jpg?w=1012&ssl=1&w=640&resize=640&ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/fedscoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-2197554610.jpg?w=1012&ssl=1&w=800&resize=800&ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/fedscoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-2197554610.jpg?w=1012&ssl=1&w=1024&resize=1024&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/fedscoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-2197554610.jpg?w=1012&ssl=1&w=1280&resize=1280&ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/fedscoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-2197554610.jpg?w=1012&ssl=1&w=1600&resize=1600&ssl=1 1600w\" width=\"1012\" height=\"675\" fifu-data-src=\"https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/fedscoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-2197554610.jpg?w=1012&ssl=1\" class=\"single-article__cover-image wp-post-image\" alt><figcaption> Rep. Shontel Brown, D-Ohio, speaks at a Democratic Women&#8217;s Caucus (DWC) press conference in Washington D.C., on Feb. 7, 2025. (Photo by Nathan Posner\/Anadolu via Getty Images) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"single-article__content\">\n<div class=\"single-article__content-inner has-drop-cap\">\n<p>Democratic lawmakers are once again pushing back on the Department of Homeland Security\u2019s expansive use of surveillance technology, with more than a dozen members of a House Oversight subcommittee <a href=\"https:\/\/shontelbrown.house.gov\/sites\/evo-subsites\/shontelbrown.house.gov\/files\/evo-media-document\/brown-letter-to-secretary-noem-re-dhs-use-of-penlink.pdf\">expressing concern in a letter<\/a> to Secretary Kristi Noem over the agency\u2019s processes for collection and analysis of cellphone data.<\/p>\n<p>The representatives pointed to recent reports of the agency procuring tools from Penlink, which is said to collect cellphone location data and allow customers to search for devices, and Paragon, a vendor known to enable access to a mobile device without the owner\u2019s knowledge or consent.<\/p>\n<p>Without guardrails, these tools introduce risks to data privacy and civil liberties, according to the signatories of the letter, which was led by Rep. Shontel Brown of Ohio, ranking member of the House Oversight Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLocation data can reveal intimate details of a person\u2019s life, including where they live, work, worship, go to school, or seek medical care,\u201d the lawmakers said. \u201cDHS could use these tools to identify individuals for targeting based solely on their presence in certain locations, without a warrant or probable cause and regardless of their citizenship or residency status.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--inline_1 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The 13-member group requested a briefing before March 5 to discuss internal DHS communications around the acquisition of location-based electronics surveillance, any legal justifications for surveillance without judicial or administrative warrants, DHS\u2019s processes for storage, use and disposal of the data collected through these tools, and the process for monitoring abuses and granting data access.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe continued acquisition of such spyware technology suggests DHS is relying on mass data collection techniques that the Department can use without cell phone users\u2019 knowledge and which may operate outside of constitutional guardrails,\u201d the lawmakers said in the letter. \u201cAmericans should be able to trust their government to uphold the Constitution and respect fundamental rights.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Questions about how the agency is conducting oversight of its technology toolbelt have ramped up over the past year, especially as use in law enforcement and investigative operations expand.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>DHS has increased its <a href=\"https:\/\/fedscoop.com\/dhs-ai-inventory-mobile-fortify-palantir\/\">AI use cases<\/a> by nearly 37% since July 2025, according to its latest inventory. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has driven the jump, and many of the agency\u2019s most controversial and high-impact use cases have incomplete risk management processes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTrump\u2019s ICE has been a public safety and civil rights disaster, and now we have heard reports of tools that could enable dragnet digital surveillance of entire communities,\u201d Brown said in an <a href=\"https:\/\/shontelbrown.house.gov\/media\/press-releases\/brown-leads-oversight-letter-dhs-ices-troubling-mass-surveillance-tech\">accompanying press release<\/a>. \u201cDHS must immediately explain its legal authority and its privacy safeguards.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--inline_1 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The letter was cosigned by Reps. Yassamin Ansari of Arizona, Greg Casar of Texas, Jasmine Crockett of Texas, Ro Khanna of California, Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois, Stephen Lynch of Massachusetts, Dave Min of California, Eleanor Holmes Norton of D.C., Emily Randall of Washington, Lateefah Simon of California, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, and James Walkinshaw of Virginia.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In addition to location-based electronic surveillance, lawmakers have raised concerns about the agency\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/fedscoop.com\/house-democrats-bill-dhs-mobile-biometric-surveillance-apps\/\">mobile biometric applications<\/a> and broad <a href=\"https:\/\/fedscoop.com\/dhs-data-collection-inspector-general-request\/\">data collection processes<\/a>, as well as the <a href=\"https:\/\/fedscoop.com\/house-democrats-pushback-dhs-data-collection-expansion\/\">lack of information<\/a> on cybersecurity protections, retention limits and independent audits.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The agency\u2019s watchdog office also has its eye on privacy practices at DHS.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Inspector General Joseph Cuffari <a href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/dhs-ig-audit-ice-obim-biometric-data-privacy-facial-recognition\/\">launched an official audit<\/a> earlier this month to determine how DHS components are collecting personally identifiable information and the extent to which the data is managed, shared and secured, according to a Feb. 5 letter published by Virginia Democratic Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<footer class=\"single-article__footer\">\n<div class=\"author-card\">\n<div class=\"author-card__avatar\">\n<figure class=\"author-card__image-wrap\"> <img data-opt-id=758893364  fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" fifu-lazy=\"1\" fifu-data-sizes=\"auto\" fifu-data-srcset=\"https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/fedscoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/IMG_5250-e1764867083701.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1&ssl=1&w=75&resize=75&ssl=1 75w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/fedscoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/IMG_5250-e1764867083701.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1&ssl=1&w=100&resize=100&ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/fedscoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/IMG_5250-e1764867083701.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1&ssl=1&w=150&resize=150&ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/fedscoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/IMG_5250-e1764867083701.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1&ssl=1&w=240&resize=240&ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/fedscoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/IMG_5250-e1764867083701.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1&ssl=1&w=320&resize=320&ssl=1 320w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/fedscoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/IMG_5250-e1764867083701.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1&ssl=1&w=500&resize=500&ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/fedscoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/IMG_5250-e1764867083701.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1&ssl=1&w=640&resize=640&ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/fedscoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/IMG_5250-e1764867083701.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1&ssl=1&w=800&resize=800&ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/fedscoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/IMG_5250-e1764867083701.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1&ssl=1&w=1024&resize=1024&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/fedscoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/IMG_5250-e1764867083701.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1&ssl=1&w=1280&resize=1280&ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/fedscoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/IMG_5250-e1764867083701.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1&ssl=1&w=1600&resize=1600&ssl=1 1600w\" class=\"author-card__image\" fifu-data-src=\"https:\/\/mlmjbqro95r8.i.optimole.com\/cb:bOxR.6a5\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/fedscoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/IMG_5250-e1764867083701.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1&ssl=1\" alt=\"Lindsey Wilkinson\"> <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><h4 class=\"author-card__name\">Written by Lindsey Wilkinson<\/h4>\n<p> Lindsey Wilkinson is a reporter for FedScoop in Washington, D.C., covering government IT with a focus on DHS, DOT, DOE and several other agencies. Before joining Scoop News Group, Lindsey closely covered the rise of generative AI in enterprises, exploring the evolution of AI governance and risk mitigation efforts. She has had bylines at CIO Dive, Homeland Security Today, The Crimson White and Alice magazine. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"single-article__tags-container\">\n<h4 class=\"single-article__tags-title\">In This Story<\/h4>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/footer><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"single-article__ads js-single-article-sidebar\">\n<div class=\"ad ad--sidebar js-single-article-sidebar-5 ad--rightrail_1 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ad ad--sidebar js-single-article-sidebar-4 ad--rightrail_2 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ad ad--sidebar js-single-article-sidebar-3 ad--rightrail_3 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"popular-stories popular-stories--single-post\">\n<div class=\"popular-stories__container\">\n<h2 class=\"popular-stories__title\"> More Scoops <\/h2>\n<p> <!-- .popular-stories__stories --> <\/div>\n<p><!-- .popular-stories__inner -->\n<\/div>\n<p><!-- .popular-stories --> <\/p>\n<section class=\"latest-podcasts\">\n<h2 class=\"latest-podcasts__title\"> Latest Podcasts\t<\/h2>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"top-categories\">\n<div class=\"top-categories__container\">\n<h3 class=\"top-categories__category-title\">FedScoop TV<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <\/main> <\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--bottom \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"interstitial\" class=\"welcome__container\"> <button id=\"close-modal-1\" class=\"welcome__clickable_area\"><\/button> <\/p>\n<div class=\"welcome__ad_wrapper\">\n<p> <button id=\"close-modal-3\" class=\"welcome__continue-button\">Continue to FedScoop<\/button> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <!-- Start of HubSpot Embed Code --> <!-- End of HubSpot Embed Code -->  <\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/blockads.fivefilters.org\"> <\/a><\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/blockads.fivefilters.org\/acceptable.html\"> <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8230; Oversight Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information <span class=\"match\">Technology<\/span>, and Government Innovation. \u00e2\u0080\u009cLocation data &#8230; continued acquisition of such spyware <span class=\"match\">technology<\/span> suggests DHS is relying on &#8230; is conducting oversight of its <span class=\"match\">technology<\/span> toolbelt have ramped up over &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-96432","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","wpcat-1-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/96432","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=96432"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/96432\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=96432"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=96432"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=96432"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}