Government Hires Controversial AI Company to Spy on “Known Populations” – Casson Living – World News, Breaking News, International News

Exploring the Intersection of Palantir and Immigration Enforcement

Have you ever thought about the implications of combining Palantir, the AI powerhouse inspired by the mystical seeing stones from “The Lord of the Rings,” with an immigration agency that is relocating US residents to internment facilities in South America? This intriguing mix suggests the development of an extensive surveillance apparatus, as highlighted in a striking report by 404 Media.

The findings disclose a lucrative agreement between US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Palantir, amounting to tens of millions of dollars. Palantir’s role involves upgrading ICE’s Investigative Case Management system (ICM) to facilitate thorough analysis of targeted populations. This enhancement includes the maintenance of a database equipped with real-time tracking capabilities, visa information, and data sourced from various agencies including the FBI, CIA, DEA, and ATF.

The ICM empowers agents to classify individuals based on specific characteristics such as race, eye color, tattoos, and administrative data like social security numbers and employment addresses. This extensive information, along with numerous other criteria, is part of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) substantial $96 million agreement with Palantir, which was finalized in 2022.

This revelation emerges at a moment when ICE, during the Trump administration, has intensified its operations involving disappearances and deportations, particularly targeting green card holders, non-residents on visas, and foreign tourists. Individuals like Mahmoud Khalil and Rumeysa Öztürk have faced detention by DHS agents for voicing dissent, while others have been taken to internment camps in El Salvador or ICE facilities without their families or lawyers being informed.

Such actions have been supported by technology giants including Google, Amazon, and Palantir, with the ACLU of New Mexico contesting the disappearances of 48 residents. ICE Director Todd Lyons even expressed a desire for the agency to function like Amazon Prime, but with actual people.

Meanwhile, Palantir is taking a bold approach, showcasing advertisements at bus stops that declare a “moment of reckoning” for the West. Their messaging promotes a vision of supremacy across various sectors, from manufacturing to military operations.

As surveillance technologies continue to proliferate, it’s essential to remain aware of the companies and technologies that play a role in this landscape. Google’s involvement in developing an AI-driven border surveillance system is just one illustration of the expanding influence of surveillance technologies in our daily lives. Staying informed is vital to understanding how these advancements affect our rights and freedoms.