ICE wants to build a 24/7 social media surveillance team

ICE is planning to expand its social media surveillance by hiring nearly 30 contractors to monitor platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram for intelligence on deportation raids and arrests. The agency aims to station analysts at facilities in Vermont and Southern California to convert social media content into leads for enforcement operations. The initiative is in the early stages, but ICE envisions a continuous monitoring operation with tight deadlines and cutting-edge surveillance software. The targeting centers in Vermont and California will have a mix of senior analysts, shift leads, and researchers working around the clock to support enforcement activities.