Police & jail misconduct

Israeli-developed surveillance tools (Cellebrite, Elbit border towers) are used by ICE, CBP and US police, reporting finds

Confidence: Corroborated · 3 sourcesUnited States · Sep 21, 2026

Subject of this story

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Cellebrite

Elbit Systems

What happened

Investigative reporting by The Intercept, +972 Magazine and Responsible Statecraft documents Israeli-developed surveillance technology in use by US agencies: Israeli firm Cellebrite has sold forensic-extraction tools to ICE; Elbit Systems surveillance towers developed for the Israel-Gaza fence have been installed on the US-Mexico border; and US police have piloted Israeli-developed facial recognition and adopted tactics through law-enforcement exchange programs. The reports describe US surveillance firms and agencies drawing on technology honed in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.

Sources (3)

The InterceptInvestigative report on US surveillance firms honing technology in Israel, now used domestically.

+972 MagazineIndependent Israeli-Palestinian outlet documenting parallels between ICE operations and Israeli occupation tactics.

Responsible StatecraftForeign-policy outlet documenting specific Israeli surveillance tech now in US cities, including Elbit border towers and Cellebrite/ICE contracts.

Response

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection

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Cellebrite

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Elbit Systems

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What happened next (0)

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