1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep concern about the Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) use of the Mobile Fortify facial recognition app. This technology, as revealed in a recently obtained Department of Homeland Security document, poses a significant threat to the privacy rights of all Americans, including U.S. citizens. The Mobile Fortify app, used to verify identity and immigration status, does not allow individuals to decline being scanned. This mandatory nature of the technology is a clear violation of personal privacy and consent. Even more alarming is the fact that face photos taken by the app, including those of U.S. citizens, will be stored for 15 years. This long-term retention of biometric data creates an unnecessary and potentially dangerous database that could be misused or breached. Furthermore, the use of this technology by both ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in street encounters to verify citizenship status is deeply troubling. It effectively turns every interaction with these agencies into a potential violation of Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches. The implications of this technology extend beyond immigration enforcement. We've already seen CBP using drones to support ICE operations, including during anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles. This mission creep demonstrates how easily such invasive technologies can be repurposed for surveillance of constitutionally protected activities. I urge you to take immediate action to halt the use of the Mobile Fortify app and similar facial recognition technologies by ICE and CBP. We need comprehensive legislation to regulate the use of biometric data by government agencies, ensuring that the privacy rights of all individuals are protected. Please work to introduce or support bills that would: 1. Require consent for biometric data collection 2. Limit data retention periods 3. Restrict the sharing of collected data between agencies 4. Mandate regular audits and public reporting on the use of such technologies Our nation's security does not have to come at the cost of our fundamental right to privacy. I ask that you prioritize this issue and take swift action to protect the privacy of your constituents and all Americans.