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Feds using cell phone technology to find illegal immigrants

Posted at 4:41 PM, May 22, 2017
and last updated 2017-05-22 18:18:42-04

Cell phone tracking devices typically used by federal law enforcement for counter terrorism, are now being used for tracking illegal immigrants according to unsealed federal court records. Those devices have been used locally in Metro Detroit to find people being targeted by tougher actions imposed by the Trump administration.

The cell tower simulators have drawn scrutiny from at least one civil rights organization. The ACLU tells Action News they are troubled by this latest use of technology typically reserved for national security and other violent crime cases.

So far, federal agencies tasked with apprehending these types of individuals have stuck by their techniques, saying they must utilize all lawful methods to catch and prosecute those who break our laws and enter the country illegally. Local agencies and Michigan State Police have also been able to use the same type of technology.