President Trump has deployed federal agents to carry out mass deportations using a vast array of technology to track, categorize, and surveil immigrants. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Citizen and Immigration Services have spent $7.8 billion on immigration technologies from 263 different companies since 2020. These technologies include biometric tracking, location tracking, and investigative tools to search through emails and text messages.
Immigration attorney Marina Shepelsky explains that four groups of immigrants are being targeted in Trump’s raids, including those with criminal convictions, those with deportation orders, and those without proper visas. The Department of Homeland Security uses AI technology to comb through immigration records and assess the likelihood of overstaying visas.
While Assistant Professor Peter Salib acknowledges the potential for AI to streamline immigration processes, he warns of the ethical concerns and potential for systematic biases in these algorithms. The Biden administration had access to these technologies but did not execute mass deportations like Trump is now.
Despite ethical concerns, Shepelsky sees potential for technology to improve border security and citizenship processes. Trump’s immigration policies are likely to continue to utilize technology, but the choice ultimately lies in policy decisions rather than the availability of technology.
As the world becomes increasingly reliant on technology, the ethical use of AI in immigration enforcement remains a critical issue. While AI can streamline processes and improve efficiency, it also raises concerns about privacy, biases, and the potential for misuse. In the end, the responsible use of technology in immigration policies will be a key factor in shaping the future of border security and citizenship processes.
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