Rights Group Condemns AI Detection Tools Targeting Pro-Palestine Protesters in the U.S. – JURIST

Amnesty International condemned the U.S. government’s use of Palantir and Babel Street’s AI surveillance tools to monitor immigrants and target non-citizens at pro-Palestinian protests. A review of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) documents revealed these technologies enable mass monitoring of vulnerable populations, including migrants and refugees, raising significant human rights concerns. This surveillance is linked to the “Catch and Revoke” initiative, resulting in unlawful detentions and deportations, creating fear among migrant communities and international students. Erika Guevara-Rosas, Senior Director at Amnesty, highlighted that the misuse of AI in immigration enforcement could lead to wrongful accusations based on basic keyword searches. The March 8 arrest of Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil exemplifies the alarming trend of visa revocations and arbitrary legal actions against pro-Palestinian activists. Overall, the reliance on AI surveillance tools threatens civil liberties and human rights in the U.S., underscoring urgent calls for accountability and reform.

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