How ICE is using facial recognition in Minnesota

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 4 min read 100% complete by Sanya MansoorJanuary 27, 2026 at 03:00 PM

AI Summary

long article 4 min

ICE is increasingly using the Mobile Fortify app, a facial recognition tool, to scan individuals in the field and access data from federal and state databases. The app, uncovered last summer, has been used over 100,000 times by the Department of Homeland Security. This expanded use of facial recognition beyond investigations and ports of entry has sparked backlash from protestors, legal experts, and lawmakers. Concerns center on the app's potential for inaccuracies, particularly with women and people of color, and the possibility of creating a "biometric checkpoint society." A lawsuit filed by Illinois and Chicago challenges the DHS's use of Mobile Fortify, arguing it exceeds congressional authorization for biometric data collection.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Washington Post 40% American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) 50% Chicago 50% Nathan Freed Wessler 60% Illinois ×260% 404 Media ×265% United States 70% United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) ×380% Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) ×590% Mobile Fortify ×795%

Keywords

facial recognition 100% immigration enforcement 90% ice 80% mobile fortify 70% biometric data 60% data collection 50% privacy 50% false match rates 40% dhs 40%