United States Cracks Down on Immigration with "ImmigrationOS"
Trump government develops immigrant-targeted software and colossal data repository
The US government, under current administration influence, is planning a significant crackdown on immigration. In the shadows, IT experts are crafting a colossal database, the brainchild of Elon Musk's "Department of Government Efficiency" alias Doge, aiming to consolidate information from various agencies.
This massive database, nicknamed "ImmigrationOS," could potentially lead to tracking down millions of people, including those without US citizenship and potentially their relatives with US passports. TheInteger.io estimates that approximately 14 million people in the US are living without a valid residence permit, and this new database could make targeting migrants easier than ever before.
Trump's Deportation Threat Executive in Action
The fear of poor treatment may have led border agents to report historically few migrants crossing into the US from Mexico outside official points of entry. The government, under the leadership of President Donald Trump, is working tirelessly to track migrants' every move.
The technical capabilities for this surveillance are more comprehensive than ever. In collaboration with Palantir, the Department of Homeland Security and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency will use "ImmigrationOS" to facilitate deportations, according to reports. The software will combine biometric data, Social Security Administration, IRS, and Department of Health information, as well as data from Departments of Labor and Housing and Urban Development.
Tracking Non-Citizens with Tax Data
Tax data could potentially reveal a significant portion of a person's life. Individuals without a residence permit who still work in the US receive an identification number from the IRS and pay taxes through it. Previously, the IRS did not share its data with other agencies, but this new trend of collaboration has raised concerns. The Department of Homeland Security is gaining access to tax data, a court dismissing NGOs' appeals. As many as seven million non-US citizens could be tracked down using tax data.
The Race for Deportations
The US government has set a target of at least one million deportations in the first year of Trump's term. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is trying to meet this target by encouraging people to leave voluntarily, which the government calls "self-deportation." There is an app where migrants can indicate that they are leaving the country. The government promises a $1,000 reward plus coverage of the flight ticket.
Warnings Abound
For months, warning videos have been circulating online and on TV, featuring Noem threatening, "We will find you and we will deport you." These videos serve as a chilling reminder of the government's plan for mass deportation. Furthermore, Noem's visit to El Salvador, where she posed for a photo op with shaved-headed prisoners at the high-security CECOT prison, drew criticism from Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, who reported inhumane conditions at the prison.
Palantir's Role in the Crackdown
The upcoming "ImmigrationOS" software, developed by Palantir Technologies, is set to aid in the mass deportation process. The project's prototype is scheduled for the end of September, and the contract with Silicon Valley tech company Palantir runs until 2027. Internally, the collaboration has been met with controversy, with Palantir justifying its actions by claiming that the software would enable "fair treatment" for migrants. However, it seems that Trump's administration has not prioritized this goal. Hundreds of people have been transported to the El Salvador prison without a judicial hearing, underscoring the lack of concern for due process.
Human Rights Concerns
The combination of data from various agencies, even departments within the Department of Homeland Security, raises significant concerns. If placed in a central repository, the risk of data misuse and unauthorized access increases significantly, potentially leading to targeting of individuals disliked by government agents or other repressive goals. With the current administration's abolishment of complaint and ombudsman offices in the Department of Homeland Security, there are few barriers to prevent such misuse.
- The use of technology in the development of the "ImmigrationOS" database, jointly created by IT experts and Elon Musk's "Department of Government Efficiency" alias Doge, might potentially impact community and employment policies due to the risk of tracking down millions of people, including those without US citizenship and some of their family members with US passports.
- Amidst concerns about human rights, Palantir Technologies' role in creating the "ImmigrationOS" software, which is aimed at facilitating deportations, could have implications in the area of politics and general-news, as it raises questions about the employment policy regarding the collaboration between tech companies and the government during a time of significant immigration crackdown.
