Sen. Peters wants to know why ICE bought spyware that can take control of phones

Sen. Gary Peters, the top Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, has raised serious concerns about the purchase of advanced surveillance technology by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In a detailed letter dated July 23, 2026, Peters questioned why ICE acquired Graphite, a commercial spyware tool capable of remotely controlling smartphones and extracting sensitive data such as messages, photos, location history, and other personal information. The software, originally developed by Paragon Solutions and now owned by REDLattice, was reportedly purchased through a $2 million sole-source contract. Peters described this acquisition as one of the most significant expansions of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) and ICE’s surveillance capabilities to date, raising alarms about potential threats to civil liberties and national security. Peters emphasized that misuse of Graphite is not merely theoretical, citing reports that the software had been used to target over 90 journalists and civil society members across multiple countries. While he did not claim that ICE has specifically used Graphite against Americans, he pressed the agency to clarify whether the tool has been deployed domestically, who might have been targeted, and what legal justification supports its use. The senator also requested specific details regarding the number of individuals, both U.S. citizens and foreign nationals, who may have been monitored, their locations, and the rationale behind acquiring the software. Additionally, he asked whether data collected via Graphite has been shared with other government entities, private firms, or nonprofit organizations. The inquiry, which spans several pages, includes requests for documentation related to the initial September 2024 contract, a subsequent October 2024 stop-work order, and the contract’s eventual resumption in August 2025. Peters noted that his committee had previously sought briefings from DHS in December 2025 and from ICE in January 2026, but received no substantial responses. He has given ICE until August 7 to provide the requested information and documents, though he lacks the authority to compel compliance since Democrats do not hold a majority in Congress. ICE, DHS, Graphite, and REDLattice have all been contacted for comment, but none have responded publicly yet. Separately, a different issue has emerged concerning ICE’s handling of medical care within its detention facilities. Andranik Grigoryan, a New York resident detained at the Miami Correctional Facility in Indiana from December 30, 2024, to May 15, 2026, filed two lawsuits alleging mistreatment during his time in custody. One lawsuit targets Centurion Health of Indiana, the facility’s medical provider, accusing it of failing to supply necessary medication, leading to a severe seizure. Another lawsuit names unidentified correctional officers from the Indiana Department of Correction, claiming they pepper-sprayed Grigoryan after he returned from the hospital following the incident. According to court filings, Grigoryan had been relying on Keppra, an anti-seizure medication, to manage his epilepsy for years. However, due to staffing shortages and medication shortages at the facility, he went without his prescribed dose on January 22, 2025, resulting in a violent seizure. The lawsuit states that Grigoryan hit his head during the episode and lay in a pool of blood until correctional staff arrived. After receiving treatment at a local hospital, he was returned to the facility but soon faced another incident. Officers allegedly ordered him to prepare for a transfer despite his physical condition, and when he resisted, they pepper-sprayed him through a cuffport in the cell door. The complaint claims the spray affected his eyes, causing severe discomfort, and that officers then handcuffed and moved him without allowing him to clean himself. The lawsuits argue that these actions violated Grigoryan’s constitutional rights under the 14th Amendment. The suit against Centurion Health alleges that insufficient staffing and poor management led to inadequate medical care, while the suit against the correctional officers claims the use of force was both unjustified and excessive. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Indiana, representing Grigoryan, stated that the former detainee was entitled to proper medical attention and protection from unwarranted force. Legal director Ken Falk called the incidents “cruel and unconstitutional,” noting that Grigoryan had remained seizure-free for nearly a year prior to the incident due to consistent medication. These developments highlight growing scrutiny of ICE’s operations, particularly regarding both technological surveillance and the conditions within detention centers. As Peters continues to press for transparency around the Graphite software, and as legal challenges mount over medical neglect and use of force, the agency faces increasing pressure to address allegations of misconduct and overreach.