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Original Date Announced
June 24, 2019ICE filed a special notice of intent to award a contract worth up to $35 million to Cellebrite (Israeli technology company) for universal forensic extraction devices, accessories licenses, and training and support services. Cellebrite is best known for helping governments access data on locked cell phones. [ID #430]
Universal Forensic Extraction DevicesEffective Date
June 24, 2019Subsequent Trump and Court Action
June 20, 20252025.06.20 CBP: Request for Information on Digital Data Extraction Tools
CBP is requesting proposals from tech companies for "digital data extraction tools" designed to process and analyze text messages, pictures, videos, and contacts from seized phones, laptops, and other devices. CBP seeks technology that can find “hidden language” in a person’s text messages; identify specific objects across multiple videos; access chats in encrypted messaging apps; and use AI to find patterns in large datasets for “intel generation.”
WIRED reports that the requested technology will supplement the digital forensics tools CBP purchases from Israeli company Cellebrite, which currently has eight contracts with CBP set to end between July 2025 and April 2026. Cellebrite produces technology that can, among other capabilities, sort images based on their contents; access text messages and direct messages on apps; filter messages that mention specific topics; unveil "hidden" photos; make social maps of contacts; and plot locations where a person sent text messages. CBP reports that it searched 47,000 electronic devices in 2024, a significant increase from the approximately 8,500 devices searched in 2015.
View DocumentCurrent Status
Fully in EffectOriginal Trump Policy Status
Status: Final/ActualTrump Administration Action: Change in PracticeSubject Matter: InteriorAssociated or Derivative Policies
- January 4, 2018 CBP issues new directive on border search of electronic devices
- August 30, 2025 ICE contracts with Paragon to gain access to sophisticated spyware
- September 29, 2025 CBP notice of intent to award contract to Cellebrite
Pre Trump-Era Policies
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April 13, 2017
ICE previously purchased cellphone hacking technology from Cellebrite for $2.2 million in March of 2017.
Forbes: US Immigration Splurged $2.2 Million On Phone Hacking Tech Just After Trump's Travel Ban
Documents
Trump-Era Policy Documents
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New Policy
Original Source:
Universal Forensic Extraction Devices
- Prior Policy
- Subsequent Action
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To provide information, corrections, or feedback, please email IPTP.feedback@gmail.com
Commentary
Daily Beast: ICE Has a New $30M Contract With Israeli Phone Cracking Company Cellebrite
It’s unclear what use ICE will put Cellebrite’s technology to and where it will do so. When The Daily Beast contacted ICE Contracting Officer Tracy Riley for details, Riley said she would “absolutely” not provide more details about the contract.
Go to article2025.09.29 Reason - ICE Doesn't Want You To Know Why They Bought a Phone Cracking System
Reason reports that ICE "has been massively expanding its domestic surveillance capabilities without a public explanation." Reason notes that ICE has offered only vague justifications for its recent technology contracts, such as with Paragon, and heavily redacted information in public documents on the technology's capabilities and purposes. Companies like Cellebrite have also asked police to keep use of their devices "as hush hush as possible."
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