Emerald Tse
@ehtse.bsky.social
researcher/advocate focusing on privacy issues
💼 @georgetownprivacy.bsky.social
🧡 https://linktr.ee/desolasol_colectiva
🍉 https://givebutter.com/the-sanabel-team
💼 @georgetownprivacy.bsky.social
🧡 https://linktr.ee/desolasol_colectiva
🍉 https://givebutter.com/the-sanabel-team
Reposted by Emerald Tse
In 2021, a 25-year-old US citizen had their DNA collected by CBP at a Chicago airport according to new govt data. They were just one of about 2000 US citizens who had their DNA collected by border agents & shared with the FBI including some as young as 14. www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
US border patrol collected DNA from thousands of US citizens for years, data shows
CBP officers took DNA samples from about 2,000 citizens, some as young as 14 and many who never faced criminal charges, new analysis shows
www.theguardian.com
September 23, 2025 at 9:59 PM
In 2021, a 25-year-old US citizen had their DNA collected by CBP at a Chicago airport according to new govt data. They were just one of about 2000 US citizens who had their DNA collected by border agents & shared with the FBI including some as young as 14. www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Emerald Tse
Newly released data shows Customs and Border Protection funneled the DNA of nearly 2,000 US citizens—some as young as 14—into an FBI crime database, raising alarms about oversight and legality. www.wired.com/story/dhs-ha...
DHS Has Been Collecting US Citizens’ DNA for Years
Newly released data shows Customs and Border Protection funneled the DNA of nearly 2,000 US citizens—some as young as 14—into an FBI crime database, raising alarms about oversight and legality.
www.wired.com
September 23, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Newly released data shows Customs and Border Protection funneled the DNA of nearly 2,000 US citizens—some as young as 14—into an FBI crime database, raising alarms about oversight and legality. www.wired.com/story/dhs-ha...
Reposted by Emerald Tse
When we published our 2024 report “Raiding the Genome,” we suspected that DHS agents might be taking DNA from US citizens. We can now confirm that those suspicions were correct. www.raidingthegenome.org
September 23, 2025 at 3:01 PM
When we published our 2024 report “Raiding the Genome,” we suspected that DHS agents might be taking DNA from US citizens. We can now confirm that those suspicions were correct. www.raidingthegenome.org
Reposted by Emerald Tse
Thank you @pressley.house.gov for bringing attention to DHS’s abusive DNA collection program in Congress this week. The public deserves transparency about how federal immigration enforcement handles people’s sensitive genetic material.
Rep. Pressley Slams DHS for Stealing Immigrants’ DNA and Giving to FBI Databases
YouTube video by Rep. Ayanna Pressley
youtu.be
July 25, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Thank you @pressley.house.gov for bringing attention to DHS’s abusive DNA collection program in Congress this week. The public deserves transparency about how federal immigration enforcement handles people’s sensitive genetic material.
Reposted by Emerald Tse
CBP is looking to expand cell phone hacking capabilities for seized phones at the border.
The more CBP has access to our private data, the more they will continue to bypass due process and justify their unlawful deportations
www.wired.com/story/cbp-wa...
The more CBP has access to our private data, the more they will continue to bypass due process and justify their unlawful deportations
www.wired.com/story/cbp-wa...
CBP Wants New Tech to Search for Hidden Data on Seized Phones
Customs and Border Protection is asking companies to pitch tools for performing deep analysis on the contents of devices seized at the US border.
www.wired.com
July 23, 2025 at 5:29 PM
CBP is looking to expand cell phone hacking capabilities for seized phones at the border.
The more CBP has access to our private data, the more they will continue to bypass due process and justify their unlawful deportations
www.wired.com/story/cbp-wa...
The more CBP has access to our private data, the more they will continue to bypass due process and justify their unlawful deportations
www.wired.com/story/cbp-wa...
Reposted by Emerald Tse
Border Patrol is buying new tech... "advanced AI" to surveil dense residential areas? Automated surveillance towers? Tech to see through walls??
I talked to @sambiddle.com of @theintercept.com about serious risks amid the agency's increasingly aggressive behavior.
theintercept.com/2025/07/23/c...
I talked to @sambiddle.com of @theintercept.com about serious risks amid the agency's increasingly aggressive behavior.
theintercept.com/2025/07/23/c...
Border Patrol Wants Advanced AI to Spy on American Cities
A Customs and Border Protection “Industry Day” deck also asks for drones, seismic sensors, and tech that can see through walls.
theintercept.com
July 24, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Border Patrol is buying new tech... "advanced AI" to surveil dense residential areas? Automated surveillance towers? Tech to see through walls??
I talked to @sambiddle.com of @theintercept.com about serious risks amid the agency's increasingly aggressive behavior.
theintercept.com/2025/07/23/c...
I talked to @sambiddle.com of @theintercept.com about serious risks amid the agency's increasingly aggressive behavior.
theintercept.com/2025/07/23/c...
Reposted by Emerald Tse
This week, @wyden.senate.gov cited findings from our recent update to the “Raiding the Genome” report in an oversight letter to DHS and DOJ, raising important questions about the massive DNA collection program led by those agencies. www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-r...
Wyden Demands Answers on Shadowy, Mass Collection of DNA from Immigrants by DHS | U.S. Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon
The Official U.S. Senate website of Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon
www.wyden.senate.gov
July 18, 2025 at 2:37 PM
This week, @wyden.senate.gov cited findings from our recent update to the “Raiding the Genome” report in an oversight letter to DHS and DOJ, raising important questions about the massive DNA collection program led by those agencies. www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-r...
Reposted by Emerald Tse
NEW: @wyden.senate.gov is pressing DHS and DOJ to answer questions about the collection of children's DNA, which is being added to a criminal database. @dell.bsky.social has the scoop: www.wired.com/story/dhs-an...
DHS Faces New Pressure Over DNA Taken From Immigrant Children
The US government has added the DNA of approximately 133,000 migrant children and teens to a criminal database, which critics say could mean police treat them like suspects “indefinitely.”
www.wired.com
July 16, 2025 at 5:31 PM
NEW: @wyden.senate.gov is pressing DHS and DOJ to answer questions about the collection of children's DNA, which is being added to a criminal database. @dell.bsky.social has the scoop: www.wired.com/story/dhs-an...
Reposted by Emerald Tse
“It’s very clear that the current goal is to continue to grow digital surveillance and use it for whatever this current administration decides,” our Associate @ehtse.bsky.social told @prismreports.org
prismreports.org/2025/07/10/s... This administration is rapidly consolidating a surveillance state with diminished privacy rights and due process, ensuring that all our sensitive information can be used against us @protectdemocracy.org @eff.org @cdt.org @pogo.org @georgetownprivacy.bsky.social
The growing surveillance state in the U.S. is far worse than you imagined
Through legal loopholes, executive orders, and shady contracts, the Trump administration crushes safeguards protecting against surveillance
prismreports.org
July 11, 2025 at 3:27 PM
“It’s very clear that the current goal is to continue to grow digital surveillance and use it for whatever this current administration decides,” our Associate @ehtse.bsky.social told @prismreports.org
I was interviewed for this piece:
The growing surveillance state in the U.S. ensures that your data can be used against you. Through court battles, legal loopholes, executive orders, & shady contracts, the Trump admin is crushing the safeguards protecting privacy rights & due process, @mauriziogro.bsky.social investigates.
The growing surveillance state in the U.S. is far worse than you imagined
Through legal loopholes, executive orders, and shady contracts, the Trump administration crushes safeguards protecting against surveillance
prismreports.org
July 10, 2025 at 6:33 PM
I was interviewed for this piece:
Reposted by Emerald Tse
New from 404 Media: ICE is searching a massive insurance and medical bill database to find deportation targets, according to internal ICE material. The database is all encompassing, contains details on 1.8 billion insurance claims and 58 million medical bills www.404media.co/ice-is-searc...
ICE Is Searching a Massive Insurance and Medical Bill Database to Find Deportation Targets
The database, called ISO ClaimSearch, is nearly all encompassing and contains details on more than 1.8 billion insurance claims and 58 million medical bills.
www.404media.co
July 9, 2025 at 1:41 PM
New from 404 Media: ICE is searching a massive insurance and medical bill database to find deportation targets, according to internal ICE material. The database is all encompassing, contains details on 1.8 billion insurance claims and 58 million medical bills www.404media.co/ice-is-searc...
Reposted by Emerald Tse
Last year, we published “Raiding the Genome: How the United States Government Is Abusing Its Immigration Powers to Amass DNA for Future Policing.” Since then, we’ve continued to research DHS’s DNA-collection program. Today, we’re sharing some updates.
raidingthegenome.org
raidingthegenome.org
July 9, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Last year, we published “Raiding the Genome: How the United States Government Is Abusing Its Immigration Powers to Amass DNA for Future Policing.” Since then, we’ve continued to research DHS’s DNA-collection program. Today, we’re sharing some updates.
raidingthegenome.org
raidingthegenome.org
Reposted by Emerald Tse
Struggling with the work/they're building concentration camps balance.
July 2, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Struggling with the work/they're building concentration camps balance.
Had a great chat with @mludwig.bsky.social for this important piece
“Immigrants are the first target; and if they can get away with doing these things to immigrants, what are the legal barriers from moving on to the next undesirable group?”
Trump Is Rapidly Expanding the Surveillance State as Protests Grow
Immigrants are only the first target of a rapidly expanding digital dragnet that can track our individual movements.
buff.ly
June 13, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Had a great chat with @mludwig.bsky.social for this important piece
Reposted by Emerald Tse
Gonna try to be nuanced here and speak broadly: There are several reasons to be skeptical of driverless cars, but the biggest one is the fact that they need to record everything in order to function. And then police see them as an extension of the surveillance state and act accordingly
Waymo Pauses Service in Downtown LA Neighborhood Where They're Getting Lit on Fire
A company spokesperson said it is working with law enforcement to determine when it can move the cars that have been.
www.404media.co
June 9, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Gonna try to be nuanced here and speak broadly: There are several reasons to be skeptical of driverless cars, but the biggest one is the fact that they need to record everything in order to function. And then police see them as an extension of the surveillance state and act accordingly
Reposted by Emerald Tse
ICE arrested 36 Chinese & Taiwanese immigrants after raiding an LA nightclub. That's them, ziptied on the sidewalk.
Yo Asians—if you weren't already outraged and mobilizing on behalf of others, guess what? That "First they came for the..." poem has gotten up to us.
www.latimes.com/california/s...
Yo Asians—if you weren't already outraged and mobilizing on behalf of others, guess what? That "First they came for the..." poem has gotten up to us.
www.latimes.com/california/s...
June 8, 2025 at 8:16 AM
ICE arrested 36 Chinese & Taiwanese immigrants after raiding an LA nightclub. That's them, ziptied on the sidewalk.
Yo Asians—if you weren't already outraged and mobilizing on behalf of others, guess what? That "First they came for the..." poem has gotten up to us.
www.latimes.com/california/s...
Yo Asians—if you weren't already outraged and mobilizing on behalf of others, guess what? That "First they came for the..." poem has gotten up to us.
www.latimes.com/california/s...
Reposted by Emerald Tse
As the Trump administration ramps up immigration enforcement in the nation's interior, it’s trying to issue a $25 million contract for DNA testing. "The mass collection of this data leaves it open for abuse," Associate @ehtse.bsky.social told @bloomberg.com
ICE Moves to DNA-Test Families Targeted for Deportation with New Contract
Advocates worry the tests will pave the way for the Trump administration to separate children from their caregivers.
www.bloomberg.com
June 4, 2025 at 4:47 PM
As the Trump administration ramps up immigration enforcement in the nation's interior, it’s trying to issue a $25 million contract for DNA testing. "The mass collection of this data leaves it open for abuse," Associate @ehtse.bsky.social told @bloomberg.com
Quoted in this!
June 2, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Quoted in this!
Reposted by Emerald Tse
"The push has put a key Palantir product called Foundry into at least four federal agencies, including D.H.S. and the Health and Human Services Department. Widely adopting Foundry, which organizes and analyzes data, paves the way for Mr. Trump to easily merge information from different agencies..."
Trump Taps Palantir to Compile Data on Americans
www.nytimes.com
May 30, 2025 at 11:32 AM
"The push has put a key Palantir product called Foundry into at least four federal agencies, including D.H.S. and the Health and Human Services Department. Widely adopting Foundry, which organizes and analyzes data, paves the way for Mr. Trump to easily merge information from different agencies..."
The privacy expert is @sglabe.bsky.social!
She says: “That’s not immigration enforcement. That’s genetic surveillance.”
She says: “That’s not immigration enforcement. That’s genetic surveillance.”
If the government’s goal is to determine whether a detainee is connected to past crimes, one privacy expert tells WIRED, there would be no need to add DNA to CODIS—they could simply check for a match against existing profiles.
Read the full story by @dmehro.bsky.social
Read the full story by @dmehro.bsky.social
The US Is Storing Migrant Children’s DNA in a Criminal Database
Customs and Border Protection has swabbed the DNA of migrant children as young as 4, whose genetic data is uploaded to an FBI-run database that can track them if they commit crimes in the future.
www.wired.com
May 29, 2025 at 1:33 PM
The privacy expert is @sglabe.bsky.social!
She says: “That’s not immigration enforcement. That’s genetic surveillance.”
She says: “That’s not immigration enforcement. That’s genetic surveillance.”
Reposted by Emerald Tse
NEW: The US government has collected DNA samples from 133,000+ migrant children and teenagers and uploaded them into CODIS, a national criminal database originally built for convicted sex offenders and violent criminals, according to documents reviewed by WIRED.
The US Is Storing Migrant Children’s DNA in a Criminal Database
Customs and Border Protection has swabbed the DNA of migrant children as young as 4, whose genetic data is uploaded to an FBI-run database that can track them if they commit crimes in the future.
www.wired.com
May 29, 2025 at 12:49 PM
NEW: The US government has collected DNA samples from 133,000+ migrant children and teenagers and uploaded them into CODIS, a national criminal database originally built for convicted sex offenders and violent criminals, according to documents reviewed by WIRED.
Reposted by Emerald Tse
SCOOP: ICE, HSI, and DHS are getting side-door access to the nationwide system of Flock license plate cameras by asking local police to perform lookups for them, new public records show.
ICE does *not* have a contract to use this surveillance tool itself.
www.404media.co/ice-taps-int...
ICE does *not* have a contract to use this surveillance tool itself.
www.404media.co/ice-taps-int...
ICE Taps into Nationwide AI-Enabled Camera Network, Data Shows
Flock's automatic license plate reader (ALPR) cameras are in more than 5,000 communities around the U.S. Local police are doing lookups in the nationwide system for ICE.
www.404media.co
May 27, 2025 at 1:40 PM
SCOOP: ICE, HSI, and DHS are getting side-door access to the nationwide system of Flock license plate cameras by asking local police to perform lookups for them, new public records show.
ICE does *not* have a contract to use this surveillance tool itself.
www.404media.co/ice-taps-int...
ICE does *not* have a contract to use this surveillance tool itself.
www.404media.co/ice-taps-int...
TX Gov. Abbott has been test running this for the past few years. To understand what this might look like nationwide, we need to look to “Operation Lone Star.”
Sharing more below
Sharing more below
If approved, the move would be the first time Guard troops at the national level have been asked to assist in the removal of migrants in the U.S. without legal status.
DHS asks for 20,000 National Guard troops to assist in deportations
If approved, the move would be the first time Guard troops at the national level have been asked to assist in the removal of migrants in the U.S. without legal status.
www.npr.org
May 16, 2025 at 12:47 PM
TX Gov. Abbott has been test running this for the past few years. To understand what this might look like nationwide, we need to look to “Operation Lone Star.”
Sharing more below
Sharing more below
Reposted by Emerald Tse
Three years ago, we released “American Dragnet: Data-Driven Deportation in the 21st Century.” The report describes the surveillance apparatus that Trump is using to target immigrants, activists and anyone else who challenges his agenda. We’re re-releasing it today with a new foreword.
American Dragnet | Data-Driven Deportation in the 21st Century
One of two American adults is in a law enforcement face recognition database. An investigation.
americandragnet.org
May 15, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Three years ago, we released “American Dragnet: Data-Driven Deportation in the 21st Century.” The report describes the surveillance apparatus that Trump is using to target immigrants, activists and anyone else who challenges his agenda. We’re re-releasing it today with a new foreword.