The giant in our backyard--SAS Institute--is selling its data analytics software to Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Since 2003, SAS has recorded $4.3 million in contracts with CBP, which is a sister agency with ICE. SAS’s direct funding of an agency responsible for such human rights abuses, separation of families, and negligent deaths is unacceptable. It’s time we hold them accountable.

The exact software SAS sells to Border Patrol is called SAS Visual Investigator, which “identifies previous concealed relationships and builds social networks around people, organizations, cargo shipments, and other objects.” Creating these profiles directly influences decision-making at our nation’s borders. Analytics from SAS Visual Investigator define what is considered “suspicious activity” and profiles individuals “in an effort to describe or identify the most likely suspects in a particular crime.” CBP cannot be trusted with a tool that justifies their abusive behavior and policies. 

Recent Child Deaths in Border Patrol Custody

Darlyn Cristabel Cordova-Valle, 10, El Salvador
Jakelin Caal Maquín, 7, Guatemala
Felipe Gomez Alonzo, 8, Guatemala
Juan de León Gutiérrez, 16, Guatemala
Wilmer Josué Ramírez Vásquez, 2½, Guatemala
Carlos Hernandez Vásquez, 16, Guatemala

SAS Company Ethics

“Our commitment to social responsibility continues to evolve and expand as we witness the power of connecting analytics and advocacy.”
“Caring for our people and our planet influences many decisions we make as a global company.”

As the world's largest privately held software business, SAS can easily afford to drop this contract (~$39,000/yr). It’s time to hold SAS accountable to their company ethics and demand, as a community, that they withdraw all business with CBP!