DHS Plans to Field Augmented Reality Glasses for Real-Time Biometric Scanning by 2027

Federal immigration agents may soon conduct street-level surveillance using augmented reality glasses, according to newly uncovered budget documents. The Department of Homeland Security is developing specialized eyewear for Immigration and Customs Enforcement that would allow agents to scan faces, gaits, and iris patterns in real time, cross-referencing individuals against vast federal databases. A $7.5 million initiative under DHS's Science and Technology Directorate aims to produce operational prototypes by September 2027.

Journalist Ken Klippenstein first reported the plans, which describe hardware providing "real-time access to information and biometric identification capabilities in the field." The system would tap into the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), a repository holding records on 75 million people. This approach, termed "non-cooperative biometrics," gathers data without an individual's knowledge or consent. While such technology was initially used in conflict zones like Iraq and Afghanistan, its intended application is now domestic.

An anonymous DHS attorney suggested the implications extend beyond immigration enforcement. "It might be portrayed as seeking to identify illegal aliens on the streets, but the reality is that a push in this direction affects all Americans, particularly protestors," the attorney told Klippenstein. ICE has already used smartphone apps to scan bystanders at public events, including protests in Minneapolis where several U.S. citizens were incorrectly flagged.

The move represents an evolution from handheld biometric scanners used overseas. ICE has significantly invested in identification technology, including a $9.2 million contract with Clearview AI for access to its facial recognition database. Agents have also begun using commercially available smart glasses from Meta during operations in at least six states.

Congressional awareness appears limited. While some members of Congress have called for investigation and oversight, no formal legislative action has been taken. Civil liberties organizations warn that deploying always-on, wearable scanners on American streets would fundamentally alter the relationship between citizens and law enforcement, with error-prone technology posing risks of misidentification.

Source: Webpronews