A recently released report claims the United States Border Patrol is conducting an intelligence program that secretly surveils drivers on the road and targets “suspicious” persons.
U.S. Border Patrol is part of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security. The Associated Press revealed in a November 20 published investigative report that the U.S. Border Patrol has automated license plate readers (ALPRs) installed nationwide gathering information on drivers’ movements. Per the report, that information is being monitored by algorithms utilized by U.S. Border Patrol to highlight “suspicious” drivers. Those persons behind the wheel are then allegedly targeted by local law enforcement during a “pretext stop” wherein drivers are pulled over for a minor traffic violation, then questioned, searched, and/or have their property seized for other reasons. Per the AP, some drivers are even arrested during these pretext stops, which may appear on the surface to be about drivers’ alleged speeding, unlawful window tints, turning without signaling, etc. Other names may include “wall,” “whisper,” or “intel” stops.
The automated license plate readers are reportedly often placed hidden along highways. The publication detailed that “A network of cameras scans and records vehicle license plate information, and an algorithm flags vehicles deemed suspicious based on where they came from, where they were going, and which route they took.”
What Else Should Travelers Know About the U.S. Border Patrol’s Allegedly Secretive Surveillance Of Drivers?
The surveillance system reportedly began around 10 years ago to support the U.S. Border Patrol in safeguarding America’s boundaries. However, the system has allegedly expanded over the last five years. Per the AP, expansion has included collaborations with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), private companies, and as mentioned, local law enforcement.
Information about the widespread surveillance comes in late November as many Americans begin traveling for this year’s Thanksgiving holiday. In its annual report, the American Automobile Association predicted that 73 million people will travel by car for this year’s Thanksgiving.
In a statement commenting on the AP’s investigation and findings, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) stated that the U.S. Border Patrol has seemingly become “an ugly new nationwide intelligence agency and police force that targets innocent people using techniques that should be unacceptable in a free society.”
“Congress needs to act rapidly to rein in this program, as do state and local governments that are allowing some of these federal agencies to put plate readers on their highways and their law enforcement officers to participate directly and through data sharing arrangements,” the ACLU further asserted.
