ICE is spending millions of dollars on iris scanners, expanding its arsenal of tech tools

Immigration ICE is spending millions of dollars on iris scanners, expanding its arsenal of tech tools May 27, 20265:00 AM ET Meg Anderson A federal immigration agent uses facial recognition software to confirm an asylum seeker's identity prior to an immigration hearing on July 30, 2025, in New York. In addition, DHS is expanding its use of iris scanners to help quickly identify undocumented immigrants. Olga Fedorova/AP hide caption toggle caption Olga Fedorova/AP The Department of Homeland Security is expanding its capacity to scan irises as part of its mass deportation efforts, a move that has raised concerns among privacy experts that the agency, flush with an influx of funding, is gathering biometric data from people it detains. The agency awarded a $25 million no-bid contract last week to BI2 Technologies, a company that specializes in iris scanning. The new contract is more than five times the amount of the company's last DHS contract, awarded last fall. NPR reached out to BI2 multiple times regarding its work with ICE, but did not hear back. Sponsor Message As part of its proposal to the company, DHS requested more than 1,500 iris scanners, as well as access to the company's mobile app, including a database where iris scans are stored. Irises contain intricate patterns that are unique to each person, similar to a fingerprint. DHS declined an interview, but told NPR in a statement that ICE officers use iris recognition technology "to assist in accurately identifying individuals encountered during immigration enforcement and removal operations, including confirming identities and backgrounds of individuals who may be subject to enforcement actions." That may include people like Norelly Mejías Cáceres. One night last fall, she was with her husband and first grade son in her Chicago apartment when a Black Hawk helicopter filled with federal immigration officers descended on the building. "We were in our room. We were sleeping. When they knocked on the door, they w...