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DHS earmarks millions for ‘smart glasses’ for immigration agents
The plan calls for real-time biometric identification and operational prototypes in early 2027, while civil liberties groups warn of privacy risks.
President Trump's fiscal year 2027 budget proposal includes $7.5 million for the Department of Homeland Security to develop "smart glasses" for immigration agents to identify migrants in real time.
Although the project appears in budget documents, a DHS spokesperson stated Wednesday that no federal funds have been committed for the technology at this time, which aims to eliminate system gaps during immigration enforcement.
Jason Owens, the former Customs and Border Protection commander, supports the initiative for improved situational awareness, noting the glasses use artificial intelligence to help agents "stay present" while performing duties.
Conversely, American Civil Liberties Union attorney Cody Venzke warns the technology could violate rights, telling NewsNation that biometric tools might build dossiers on citizens exercising their First Amendment rights.
Privacy advocates express concern that the tools could incorporate facial recognition similar to systems Meta previously scrapped, while the DHS Science and Technology Directorate continues assessing operational needs.
The more than controversial immigration and customs office (ICE) is to get up to 50 billion dollars more in budget. Among other things, to track illegal migrants with the help of smart glasses.