ICE Expands Iris Scanning With Hundreds of Devices to Identify Undocumented Immigrants
Updated
Updated · NPR · May 27
ICE Expands Iris Scanning With Hundreds of Devices to Identify Undocumented Immigrants
11 articles · Updated · NPR · May 27
Hundreds of new iris scanners are set to be deployed nationwide as ICE broadens biometric identification of undocumented immigrants.
DHS is buying the devices to strengthen field identification, extending ICE’s use of iris recognition technology beyond its current footprint.
Privacy experts say the expansion could help DHS build a larger biometric database, raising concerns over how immigrants’ data is collected and stored.
With DHS skipping security reviews for its new iris scanners, what prevents the misuse of millions of biometric records?
A private firm now holds millions of government iris scans. How secure is this massive biometric database from cyberattacks?
ICE’s $25 Million Iris Scanning Expansion: Surveillance, Civil Liberties, and the Future of U.S. Immigration Enforcement
Overview
In May 2026, ICE awarded a $25 million contract to Bi2 Technologies, expanding its use of advanced iris-scanning systems. With this contract, immigration officers can now use standard smartphones to scan an individual’s iris from 10 to 15 inches away. The scanned data is checked against a large database containing over 5 million criminal booking records and information collected from social media. This technology allows ICE to quickly identify people, even if they use different names, making enforcement more efficient and comprehensive.