Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has signed a $30 million contract with Palantir to enhance its case management system, adding tools to track visa overstays and monitor self-deportation, according to federal records.
The deal includes new software called ImmigrationOS, designed to streamline the immigration enforcement process. The system promises to reduce the time and resources required to identify and apprehend individuals based on ICE’s current enforcement priorities—such as violent criminals, members of transnational criminal organizations, and now, those who have overstayed their visas.
According to the contract, ImmigrationOS will offer “near real-time visibility” into self-deportation cases and manage the “end-to-end immigration lifecycle from identification to removal.” ICE is paying Palantir $29.8 million to deliver a working prototype by September 25.
ICE says this new tech is essential for executing President Donald Trump’s recent executive orders, which frame illegal immigration and transnational crime as pressing national security threats.
A spokesperson for ICE described the agreement as a modification of an existing contract. Palantir, however, has not commented on the new deal.
This isn’t the first time the government has tapped Palantir. The Department of Homeland Security initially contracted the firm in 2014 to build a case management system, and the Biden administration later extended the agreement in 2022 for operational support.
Palantir’s software integrates data from various federal sources, giving DHS agents detailed access to records of individuals flagged for immigration violations. The system also facilitates data sharing with Customs and Border Protection for tracking lookouts and seizures.
The latest documents highlight a growing focus on individuals who entered the U.S. legally but may now be in violation of visa terms—an issue classified as a civil matter, not a criminal offense.
ICE emphasized Palantir’s experience in this domain, stating the company has “deep institutional knowledge” from over a decade of collaboration. Officials added that Palantir’s tools are tailored to meet strict DHS security and privacy requirements.
According to 404 Media.’s reporting, Palantir engineers have been working in recent weeks to expand ICE’s ability to track individuals who’ve received final orders of removal. Development of the ImmigrationOS prototype remains a top priority.
