Amnesty International has issued serious allegations against US authorities, claiming the use of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technologies developed by Palantir and Babel Street. These tools are reportedly employed to monitor immigrants and track foreign nationals participating in pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
The report, released on August 20, 2025, and based on a review of public documents from the US Department of Homeland Security, highlights how software from these tech companies facilitates mass surveillance and individual assessments, often with the specific aim of identifying non-US citizens. Erika Guevara-Rosas, Senior Director of Research, Advocacy, Policy, and Campaigns at Amnesty International, expressed deep concern over the invasive use of AI by the US government, linking it to ongoing mass deportation efforts and the suppression of pro-Palestinian expression.
Amnesty's investigation suggests the US is utilizing these AI tools as part of an initiative known as "Catch and Revoke." This initiative reportedly integrates social media monitoring, visa status tracking, and automated threat assessments of individuals on visas, including international students. The specific tools mentioned are Babel X from Babel Street and Palantir's Immigration OS. These technologies are said to enable authorities to identify individuals, analyze their behavior including social media activity, and track their movements with unprecedented speed and scale to determine visa revocation eligibility.
Palantir, in particular, secured a $30 million contract from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to develop its Immigration OS. This system is designed to streamline the identification, apprehension, and deportation of prioritized individuals such as "violent criminals," transnational criminal organization members, and visa overstayers. Babel X, meanwhile, is reported to be capable of collecting vast amounts of data from a single identifier, such as a name or email address, and is used for sentiment analysis and detailed profiling.
Amnesty International warns that the deployment of such surveillance technologies risks arbitrary and unlawful visa revocations, unfair deportations, and widespread human rights violations. The organization emphasizes that the "Catch and Revoke" initiative could exacerbate these issues. Experts and civil rights groups have voiced concerns that systems like Immigration OS automate flawed and unaccountable processes, posing significant risks to privacy rights and freedom of expression, with a potential for algorithmic bias leading to detrimental errors.
The situation has reportedly led to a pattern of unlawful detentions and mass deportations, fostering a climate of fear and a chilling effect among migrant communities and international students. In response to the report, Amnesty International contacted Palantir and Babel Street in July 2025. Palantir stated that its products are not used to drive the government's "Catch and Revoke" initiative and affirmed its commitment to not violating migrants' rights. Babel Street did not provide a response. Amnesty International maintains that both companies should have foreseen the risks of misuse, especially given stricter immigration policies from previous administrations, and should reconsider their involvement in AI programs related to immigration enforcement.
Amnesty International urges US authorities to immediately cease the use of such AI-based surveillance technologies and calls for assurances that immigration policies uphold human rights and fundamental freedoms. The use of these AI surveillance tools risks strengthening the government's capacity for arbitrary deportation of marginalized individuals.