The U.S. public deserves transparency and accountability when it comes to government surveillance—especially when Americans’ civil liberties may be at risk.

In a deeply concerning move, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently signed a contract with Paragon, a spyware firm with ties to the Israeli government, after the Biden administration lifted a U.S. ban that had previously restricted business with its parent company . The spyware in question can reportedly infiltrate mobile devices, retrieve emails, track messages, and even access encrypted apps like WhatsApp and Signal. This level of intrusion—if turned inward on U.S. residents—could constitute a gross violation of privacy rights.

While ICE claims the contract is meant for international operations and criminal investigations, the lack of public oversight and independent verification leaves too much room for abuse. Paragon’s software was previously banned due to credible concerns over how similar surveillance tools have been used to target journalists, dissidents, and ordinary citizens abroad. What’s stopping it from happening here?

We cannot rely on internal agency assurances alone. Congress and the American public must know whether this technology is—or could be—used to monitor U.S. residents without due process.

We are calling on the U.S. House and Senate Judiciary Committees to launch a full, independent investigation into this contract and its implications. The public has a right to know:

• What are the specific terms of the ICE-Paragon contract?
• What safeguards are in place to prevent surveillance of U.S. citizens?
• Why was this spyware firm cleared for business after a previous ban?

Unchecked surveillance erodes trust in government and threatens the very freedoms we cherish. Add your name to demand transparency, accountability, and protection of our privacy rights—before it's too late.