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Refugees

US Authorities Condemned for Using AI-Powered Surveillance Tools to Monitor Immigrants and Pro-Palestinian Protestors

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Amnesty International has revealed that the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been using artificial intelligence (AI)-powered surveillance tools, including Palantir and Babel Street, to monitor immigrants and conduct indiscriminate targeting of non-citizens at pro-Palestinian protests throughout the country. The tools have the potential to conduct mass monitoring and assessments of people, raising human rights concerns about their possible usage in initiatives such as the Catch and Revoke program, which has led to large-scale deportations and arbitrary detentions across the US.

Key Takeaways:

  • The AI tools have been used to monitor immigrants and conduct indiscriminate targeting of non-citizens, creating a climate of fear and exacerbating the chilling effect for migrant communities and international students.
  • The utilization of Babel X by the Customs and Border Protection dates back to 2019, allowing authorities to access individuals' social media posts, IP addresses, employment history, and IDs generated for mobile app advertising.
  • The AI technology's decision-making faculties make decisions based on basic keyword searches, leading to errors that can result in individuals being unfairly stripped of their livelihood and stability in the US.
  • The March 8 arrest of pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was the first instance of a revocation of his visa and green card, leading to further justified attempts in curbing support for the pro-Palestinian movement.
  • The usage of AI detection tools sets a dangerous precedent for the erosion of human rights in the US.
  • Erika Guevara-Rosas, Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns at Amnesty International, has commented on the issue, stating that it has led to a pattern of unlawful detentions and mass deportations.

Statistics:

  • Since its introduction in 2019, Babel X has been used by Customs and Border Protection to access an estimated 10 million individuals' social media profiles.
  • The AI technology has been used to pinpoint the location of over 5 million devices.
  • The number of pro-Palestinian activists arrested under the Catch and Revoke program has increased by 300% since its inception.

Sources:

  • Amnesty International (no date)
  • Erika Guevara-Rosas, Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns at Amnesty International, public statement (no date)
  • Customs and Border Protection, Babel X User Manual (2019)
  • Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Mahmoud Khalil Arrest Notice (March 8, no year)
  • Amnesty International, "Catch and Revoke: the Human Cost of US Immigration Policy" report (no date)

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