ICE and the “wide, deep, and ever-growing” surveillance state

ICE and the “wide, deep, and ever-growing” surveillance state

From Make Me Smart by Marketplace

April 7, 2026 · 17 min · Episode 1550

About this episode

The episode discusses the growth of the American surveillance state and how ICE utilizes various surveillance tools in its immigration enforcement efforts.

Doorbell cameras, license plate readers, and social media platforms are just a few of the tech products that make up an ever-growing surveillance network in the United States. ICE’s use of surveillance tools as part of its immigration crackdown has brought that into focus. On today’s show, Kimberly talks with investigative journalist and co-founder of 404 Media Joseph Cox about the growth of the American surveillance state and simple steps you can take to protect your privacy. Here’s everything we talked about today: "With Ring, American Consumers Built a Surveillance Dragnet" from 404 Media "Surveillance company Flock generates controversy, and L.A. customers" from The L.A. Times "Ring Ends Deal to Link Neighborhood Cameras After Backlash to Super Bowl Ad" from The New York Times "All the Ways Big Tech Fuels ICE and CBP" from Wired "Inside a Powerful Database ICE Uses to Identify and Deport People" from 404 Media We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org .

People in this episode

Host: Kimberly

Guest: Joseph Cox

Topics covered

  • surveillance state
  • privacy
  • immigration
  • technology
  • investigative journalism

Keywords

  • surveillance
  • ICE
  • privacy protection
  • technology
  • immigration crackdown

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: 404 Media, The L.A. Times, The New York Times, Wired, ICE, CBP

Products: Ring, Flock

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