ICE Facial Recognition App: Mandatory Scans, 15-Year Data Storage Confirmed by DHS Document

A recent internal document from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), obtained by 404 Media, reveals that individuals cannot refuse to be scanned by Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) new facial recognition application. This technology is actively employed by the agency to verify personal identity and immigration status.

The document further details that all facial photographs captured by the app, known as Mobile Fortify, will be retained for a substantial period of 15 years. Crucially, this extensive data retention policy applies indiscriminately, affecting both non-citizens and U.S. citizens alike.

This revelation sheds new light on the operational mechanics of Mobile Fortify, outlining how the collected data is processed, stored, and the underlying rationale provided by DHS for its implementation. The news follows a previous report by 404 Media, which highlighted that both ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents are already deploying facial scanning technology in public spaces to confirm citizenship status.

The mandatory nature of these biometric scans, coupled with the long-term storage of sensitive personal data for over a decade, raises significant concerns regarding privacy, civil liberties, and the scope of government surveillance in the digital age.