A vast new database system known as “ImmigrationOS” is being constructed by federal officials to track and target millions of people who are in the country illegally, reports USA TODAY.
Initially reported by 404 Media that according to Palantir Slack and other internal communications that they were able to get, the surveillance behemoth Palantir is assuming a more significant role with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including determining the precise location of individuals who have been designated for deportation.
The leak reveals specific insight into the Trump administration’s desire to use data to enforce its immigration agenda and demonstrates that Palantir’s work with ICE includes tracking down the logistics of Trump’s mass deportation effort and generating leads for law enforcement to find individuals to deport.
The internal communications also reveal Palantir leadership preparing for possible employee or external reaction by creating frequently asked questions (FAQs) that may be distributed to friends and relatives who begin to inquire about Palantir’s involvement with ICE, reports 404 Media.
The ImmigrationOS project illustrates DOGE’s approach to the federal bureaucracy under Trump, as Musk’s deputies explore technological solutions to improve government efficiency.
Palantir already maintains the ICE system, which is utilized for Homeland Security investigations, and the new ImmigrationOS will combine data from several government and private databases.
Palantir’s existing contract with ICE has already topped $88 million, and the new ImmigrationOS system will cost another $30 million, according to contract details reviewed by USA TODAY. Several of Musk’s DOGE deputies have previously worked at Palantir, according to postings on LinkedIn and other social media sites.
The system will also track persons who “self deport” or leave the United States voluntarily to prioritize ICE enforcement over those who remain. Trump intends to deport 1 million individuals per year, a significant rise that would necessitate a massive, sophisticated, and costly targeting, custody, and removal operation.