Lawmakers Urge Apple, Google to Pull Apps That Track U.S. Immigration Agents

U.S. lawmakers are pressuring Apple and Google to remove mobile apps that allow users to track the locations of federal immigration enforcement agents, arguing the tools could compromise officer safety and obstruct lawful operations. The apps, which notify users about nearby Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity, have drawn criticism amid heightened political tension around immigration enforcement. Supporters of the apps say they provide vulnerable communities with critical information and help protect families from sudden detentions.

The House Committee on Homeland Security is pressing Apple and Google to explain what actions they are taking to remove mobile applications that allow users to track federal immigration enforcement officers. In letters sent Friday to Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Apple CEO Tim Cook, committee leaders specifically cited ICEBlock an app previously used to monitor U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arguing that such tools could "jeopardize the safety of DHS personnel." Lawmakers requested a briefing by December 12.

The letters urged both companies to ensure their platforms are not used to target officers or obstruct lawful immigration operations. While noting constitutional protections for free speech, committee members pointed to a Supreme Court precedent affirming that those protections do not extend to advocacy that incites imminent unlawful action.

Concerns have grown that the apps allow users to report and track the real-time movements of agents from ICE and Customs and Border Protection. Google told reporters in October that ICEBlock had never been offered on the Google Play Store and said it previously removed similar applications due to policy violations. Apple also removed ICEBlock and other tracking apps around the same time.

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi criticized the platforms, saying the apps “put ICE agents at risk just for doing their jobs.” Apple said the removals were based on violations of its rules against content that could endanger individuals or groups. Before its removal, ICEBlock reportedly had more than a million users.

Google and Apple did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.

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Source: NDTV‍