DHS ramps up surveillance spending, oversight lags

FedScoop reports that the Department of Homeland Security is poised to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on surveillance technology contracts in 2026, backed by a $191 billion funding boost from the 2025 "One Big Beautiful Bill," while facing mounting concerns over lagging governance and oversight.

The agency's plans include a $1 billion blanket purchase agreement with Palantir, alongside investments in AI-enhanced surveillance platforms, mobile tracking systems, and tools from vendors like Cellebrite and Paragon Solutions. Advocacy groups warn the funding has "supercharged" surveillance capabilities that scan faces, track cell phone activity, and monitor immigrants and citizens alike. Privacy Impact Assessment filings dropped to just eight in 2025 after a 2024 peak of 24, with none filed this year.

DHS's inspector general recently accused the agency of obstructing audits of biometric data management and immigration enforcement activities. Lawmakers, including Rep. Shontel Brown, have expressed alarm over procurement decisions and requested transparency on data surveillance targets. Critics note a shift toward interior enforcement using tools like Mobile Fortify, raising First and Fourth Amendment concerns.