Swamp Notes US uses private data to track immigrants
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Dec 12, 2025 
Peter Andringa, a data-driven reporter from the Financial Times, and Stefania Palma, a U.S. legal correspondent, delve into the troubling world of government surveillance on immigrants. They reveal how the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) collaborates with private companies to create a vast tracking network. From discussing the role of data brokers to the implications of automated license-plate readers, they highlight the legal and privacy challenges tied to these practices. The conversation also touches on the shifting focus of immigration enforcement and the potential dangers of expanding surveillance.
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Rapid Build-Out Via Private Contractors
- ICE is rapidly scaling deportation operations by buying data and tech from private contractors.
- Peter Andringa found a sprawling contractor network that assembles surveillance capabilities cheaply and quickly.
Data Synthesis Powers Tracking
- Palantir and other vendors act as a connecting layer that pulls data from many government systems.
- ICE links IRS, Social Security and commercial data brokers to map immigrants' movements and identities.
Everyday Tools Repurposed For Immigration
- Thomson Reuters' Clear and automated license-plate readers give law enforcement detailed movement and registration data.
- These tools, originally for criminal investigations, are now repurposed for immigration enforcement.