ICE Resumes Access to Spyware for Monitoring Migrants' Phones

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has resumed access to spyware capable of hacking migrants" mobile phones, including encrypted applications like WhatsApp and Signal. This access follows a contract signed with Paragon Solutions, which produces the software known as Graphite.

The contract, originally established in late 2024 during the Biden administration, was temporarily suspended due to a compliance review with a presidential directive limiting the use of spyware by the federal government. As of now, that pause has been lifted, allowing ICE to utilize the software for monitoring purposes.

Media reports indicate that Graphite can also facilitate eavesdropping on smartphones, raising concerns among privacy advocates and migrant rights organizations. The resumption of this contract underscores ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement practices in the U.S.

The implications of this development are significant, potentially affecting countless migrants as they navigate the immigration system. As previously reported, similar situations have prompted scrutiny from lawmakers and civil rights groups, emphasizing the need for transparency in government surveillance activities. For more on related coverage, see our article on recent developments in immigration enforcement.