Internal emails obtained by 404 Media confirm that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has deployed a mobile application that uses facial recognition and fingerprint scanning to identify individuals in the field. The app, called Mobile Fortify, allows agents to verify identities using a standard smartphone camera without needing additional hardware. While facial recognition technology has long been used at borders and ports of entry, this new use signals an expansion of biometric surveillance inside the United States.
Mobile Fortify App Expands Surveillance Capabilities
According to emails shared internally with Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) personnel, the Mobile Fortify app enables ICE officers to perform real-time biometric identity checks. The app supports both facial image capture and contactless fingerprint scans using an agency-issued smartphone. In one of the messages, ICE stated that fingerprint recognition remains the most accurate component of the tool, although facial recognition is also available.
The app’s facial recognition functionality relies on two government systems. The first is the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Traveler Verification Service, which captures images of individuals during their entry into the United States. These images are then matched against previously collected photos, such as those from passports, visas, or prior CBP encounters. The second system, Seizure and Apprehension Workflow, aggregates information related to prior law enforcement encounters and contains biometric galleries linked to derogatory intelligence.
One of the emails mentions a “Super Query” feature, which is accessible to ICE agents who also have access to another CBP platform, the Unified Passenger Login system (UPAX). This additional functionality allows agents to cross-reference biometric or facial recognition results to determine a subject’s immigration status. Fingerprint data captured by the app is also matched against IDENT, the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) central biometric database.
Civil Liberties Concerns and Limited Oversight
The use of facial recognition technology by law enforcement has been widely criticized for its inaccuracy and potential for civil rights violations. Nathan Freed Wessler, deputy director of the ACLU’s Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project, told 404 Media that such tools frequently generate false positives, leading to wrongful arrests. “Congress has never authorized DHS to use face recognition technology in this way,” Wessler said, calling for ICE to end the use of the app in public settings.
Emails reviewed by 404 Media suggest that ICE officers are encouraged to use the app to identify individuals whose identity is unknown during field operations. A training mode is also available, allowing officers to practice scanning in a non-live environment. While a video posted to social media shows officers aiming their phones at a protester in a vehicle, it is unclear whether the Mobile Fortify app was being used in that instance.
Although ICE did not respond to a request for comment, procurement records reviewed by 404 Media show the agency has also invested in commercial facial recognition systems. ICE has reportedly spent more than $3.6 million on contracts with Clearview AI, a company that provides facial recognition tools based on publicly scraped social media data. Unlike Clearview, the Mobile Fortify app is directly connected to government databases, offering access to immigration status and other sensitive information.
Broader Implications and Expansion of Biometric Tools
The deployment of Mobile Fortify reflects a broader trend of ICE incorporating advanced technologies into its enforcement operations. 404 Media previously reported on ICE’s partnership with data analytics firm Palantir, which secured a $30 million contract to develop tools for locating individuals flagged for deportation. Internal documents from Palantir describe the company as a “mature partner” in ICE’s expanding surveillance efforts.
Facial recognition technology was initially limited to use by government agencies, but it has since become more widely accessible. Independent developers and activists have begun building public tools using similar technology. For example, one activist created a platform capable of identifying law enforcement officers using publicly obtained photographs. A related tool, ICEspy, was built to identify ICE employees, although its data is now outdated.
Meanwhile, concerns about ICE’s targeting practices persist. NBC News has reported that nearly half of those in ICE custody have not been convicted or charged with any crime. Internal ICE data reviewed by the outlet showed low arrest rates for serious offenses, while long-term, nonviolent members of immigrant communities continue to be detained. In response, many ICE officers have adopted measures to shield their identities, often wearing sunglasses, masks, or hats during enforcement actions.
As federal agencies expand their use of biometric tools, questions remain about oversight, accountability, and the balance between technological advancement and individual rights. The use of the Mobile Fortify app highlights how tools originally developed for border security are being adapted for broader domestic enforcement without clear public debate or legislative guidance.