-
Original Date Announced
June 26, 2025404 Media reports that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is using a new mobile phone app for interior immigration enforcement, called Mobile Fortify, that can identify a person by fingerprints images or by pointing a phone camera at them. Previously, CBP primarily used biometric identity-verification technology at ports of entry. In a leaked email sent to all personnel in Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), ICE instructed officers to "use this new tool to identify people whose identity ICE officers do not know."
Trump 2.0 [ID #1889]
2025.06.26 Reported: ICE Is Using New Facial Recognition App to Identify People - 404 MediaSubsequent Trump and Court Action
October 29, 20252025.10.29 Reported: ICE Is Using New Facial Recognition App to Identify People in Public - 404 Media
404 Media reports that ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents are using smartphone facial recognition technology in the field as a tool to identify individuals who are stopped in public. CBP confirmed agents are using the Mobile Fortify app on the ground. DHS' released the following statement on ICE's use of facial recognition technology: "DHS is not going to confirm or deny law enforcement capabilities or methods.” 404 Media also notes that based on a review of Mobile Fortify documentation, "Mobile Fortify may soon include data from commercial data brokers too," such as LexisNexis.
View DocumentSubsequent Trump and Court Action
November 4, 20252025.11.04 Reported: DHS Gives Local Cops a Facial Recognition App To Find Immigrants - 404 Media
404 Media reports that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has launched a new mobile-phone app called Mobile Identify to be used by state or local law-enforcement agents performing immigration-enforcement duties through 287(g) agreements. Through the app, agents can scan people's faces by pointing their phone camera at them. After a face is scanned, the app tells agents either to contact ICE to detain the person or let the person go.
View DocumentCurrent Status
NoneOriginal Trump Policy Status
Status: ReportedTrump Administration Action: Change in PracticeSubject Matter: EnforcementAgencies Affected: ICEAssociated or Derivative Policies
- September 24, 2018 CBP announces facial recognition technology at ports of entry
Documents
Trump-Era Policy Documents
-
Commentary
Original Source:
Senators - Letter to ICE on Mobile Fortify
To provide information, corrections, or feedback, please email IPTP.feedback@gmail.com
Commentary
2025.09.11 Senators - Letter to ICE on Mobile Fortify
Nine Democratic Senators sent a letter to Acting ICE Director Lyons urging the agency to end its use of Mobile Fortify. They warned that biometric scanning technology is frequently biased and inaccurate, particularly against people of color, and that its use threatens privacy and free speech rights. The Senators also included a series of questions seeking details about ICE's use of Mobile Fortify and the agency's policies, practices, and procedures governing the app.
Go to article