Facial recognition: ICE agents use app to scan US citizens and immigrants • FRANCE 24 English

Minneapolis & Mobile Fortify: A Deep Dive into Facial Recognition & Immigration Enforcement

Key Concepts:

• Mobile Fortify: A facial recognition application developed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and NEC, used by ICE and CBP for identity and immigration status verification.
• Facial Recognition Technology (FRT): Technology capable of identifying or verifying a person from a digital image or video frame.
• DHS (Department of Homeland Security): U.S. federal department responsible for national security.
• ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement): U.S. federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws.
• CBP (Customs and Border Protection): U.S. federal agency responsible for securing U.S. borders.
• First Amendment: The constitutional right to freedom of speech and expression.
• Profiling: The practice of using characteristics like race or ethnicity as a basis for suspicion.

I. The Incident with Abd Kafi (“Coffee”)

The video centers around Abd Kafi, a Somali-American Uber driver in Minneapolis, who experienced a misidentification by the Mobile Fortify app on January 7th, following the killing of Renee Good by an ICE agent. While waiting for a client at Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport, Kafi was approached by law enforcement officers who questioned his citizenship. Despite refusing to show ID, officers photographed him, and the Mobile Fortify app incorrectly identified him as someone else. Kafi recounts the officers stating, “Hey, Ali, we got you from over there,” despite his denial. He describes the experience as a form of “white supremacy,” noting the officers’ focus on his accent and questioning his belonging. The incident escalated with the arrival of Greg Bevino, then commander of Border Patrol, representing “Homeland Security in person.” Kafi’s recording of the encounter provides crucial evidence of the event.

II. Expanding Cases & Community Impact in Minneapolis

The video highlights that Kafi’s case is not isolated. The reporter documents another instance in Minneapolis where a man was harassed by law enforcement while fixing his truck, with officers attempting to remove his hood. The man asserted his U.S. citizenship, but was still subjected to scrutiny. The reporter notes widespread hesitancy within the Somali community to come forward with similar experiences, fearing further targeting. This illustrates a climate of fear and distrust fostered by the use of FRT.

III. Mobile Fortify: Development, Data Storage & Usage Statistics

Mobile Fortify was initially developed under the Trump administration as a tool for “accurate identity and immigration status verification.” The app is a collaboration between DHS and the Japanese multinational corporation NEC (“Orchestrating a brighter world”). Initially, CBP stated that data on U.S. citizens would be deleted within 12 hours. However, recent legal documents reveal a significant change: images are now stored for 15 years. The app has been used over 100,000 times to date. The app draws data from photos captured at airports upon entry into the United States. Footage from a 2023 France 24 investigation at JFK airport shows CBP agents discussing data retention policies. DHS declined to answer detailed questions from France 24, offering only a statement defending the app’s legality.

IV. Legal & Civil Rights Concerns

The video emphasizes growing concerns regarding the legality and ethical implications of Mobile Fortify. Protesters at the site of Renee Good’s death express anger over the use of FRT to identify and suppress dissent, drawing parallels to dystopian narratives like 1984 and Black Mirror. Civil rights lawyers are closely monitoring the situation. A separate video filmed in Maine shows an ICE agent informing a legal observer that they are now considered a “domestic terrorist” and are being videotaped, highlighting the potential for misuse of data collected.

A key argument presented is that equipping law enforcement with FRT on their phones grants them “unchecked power” to stop and scan individuals, representing a dangerous escalation of surveillance. This is described as “deeply dangerous,” “irresponsible,” “unprecedented,” and potentially “illegal.” The First Amendment right to record law enforcement is also highlighted, contrasting with the agency’s data collection practices.

V. Legal Action & Community Response

Abd Kafi is joining a lawsuit against immigration authorities as a witness. The lawsuit alleges that “mass federal agents…are violently stopping and arresting countless motans [people] based on nothing more than their race and perceived ethnicity.” In Minneapolis, community members have organized a low-tech countermeasure: volunteers stand ready to blow whistles to warn locals of approaching ICE agents. This demonstrates a proactive attempt to mitigate the impact of high-tech surveillance.

VI. The Broader Context & Perspective

Kafi connects the increased enforcement activity to the killing of Renee Good, suggesting that the incident served as a signal that “it’s game on for everybody.” He believes that authorities are targeting individuals regardless of race or color if they are not aligned with the “agenda.” This perspective frames the use of FRT as part of a broader pattern of aggressive immigration enforcement and potential discrimination.

Conclusion:

The video presents a compelling case against the unchecked use of facial recognition technology by immigration enforcement agencies. Through the personal story of Abd Kafi and the broader context of community experiences in Minneapolis, it reveals the potential for misidentification, racial profiling, and the erosion of civil liberties. The significant increase in data storage duration and the app’s widespread usage (over 100,000 times) raise serious concerns about privacy and accountability. The video underscores the urgent need for legal scrutiny and public debate regarding the deployment of FRT in law enforcement, particularly in communities already vulnerable to discrimination.