Border Patrol has been secretly tracking American drivers through hidden license plate readers and detaining citizens based on algorithmic assessments of “suspicious” travel patterns.
Story Highlights
- Border Patrol operated covert license plate reader program for years, hiding details from courts and public
- At least ten Washington State law enforcement agencies unknowingly granted backdoor data access to federal authorities
- Citizens flagged by algorithms for suspicious travel patterns face detention without probable cause
- No state regulations exist governing how license plate data can be accessed, stored, or shared with federal agencies
Federal Surveillance Program Operates Without Oversight
U.S. Border Patrol has systematically concealed its license plate surveillance program from public scrutiny and court proceedings for years. The federal agency uses automated license plate readers, commonly called Flock cameras, to monitor vehicle movements nationwide and identify drivers whose travel patterns trigger algorithmic flags. This represents a dramatic expansion of government surveillance capabilities, operating without meaningful congressional oversight or constitutional safeguards that protect citizens’ freedom of movement.
Video: Border patrol uses hidden license plate readers to track drivers on U.S. roads https://t.co/nqGCADRafL #LiveTube
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Local Agencies Unknowingly Enable Federal Data Access
A University of Washington Center for Human Rights report released October 22, 2025, documented that at least eight Washington State law enforcement agencies enabled direct data sharing with Border Patrol. More alarming, Border Patrol gained backdoor access to data from at least ten agencies across the state, with some local departments completely unaware of federal surveillance capabilities. Police departments in Arlington, Auburn, and Lakewood participated in data sharing arrangements that exceeded their knowledge and consent.
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Constitutional Rights Under Attack Through Pattern-Based Flagging
Border Patrol’s algorithmic system flags drivers based on travel patterns rather than specific criminal activity or probable cause. This approach fundamentally violates Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures, allowing federal agents to detain American citizens without evidence of wrongdoing. The program represents government overreach that treats every driver as a potential suspect, undermining the constitutional principle that citizens should be free from surveillance without warrant or reasonable suspicion.
Regulatory Vacuum Enables Unchecked Government Surveillance
The ACLU of Washington emphasizes that no state regulations currently govern how Flock camera technology can be deployed, how data gets stored, who accesses information, or with whom agencies can share surveillance data. This regulatory absence has enabled Border Patrol to operate its hidden surveillance network without legal constraints or public accountability.
President Trump’s administration must investigate this program thoroughly and establish clear regulations preventing federal agencies from accessing local surveillance infrastructure without explicit authorization and judicial oversight. American citizens deserve transparency about government surveillance programs and robust protections for their constitutional rights to privacy and freedom of movement.
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Border Patrol monitoring US drivers and detaining those with suspicious travel patterns
