A Military Contractor Linked to Blackwater To Hunt Down Undocumented Immigrants for ICE
In a move that has raised concerns about the militarization of immigration enforcement, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has awarded a contract to a company with ties to the notorious mercenary firm Blackwater to track down undocumented immigrants across the country.
Constellis Holdings, which was formed in 2014 through the merger of Academi (formerly known as Blackwater) and Triple Canopy, will provide "skip tracing" services to ICE, tasked with locating individuals on a list of 1.5 million targeted immigrants. The company's involvement has sparked fears that ICE is using private security firms to carry out its enforcement activities, rather than relying on law enforcement agencies.
The contract, worth $113 million, includes a potential bonus for contractors who locate immigrants quickly and efficiently. Records show that the government has already paid Constellis $1.5 million, with the possibility of additional payments up to 2027.
Constellis's experience in verifying individuals' personal information, including their internet activity, will likely be useful in tracking down migrants. However, critics argue that the use of private security firms for immigration enforcement raises serious concerns about accountability and transparency.
The move has also raised questions about Constellis's relationship to its founder, Erik Prince, who founded Blackwater in 1997 and was pardoned by President Donald Trump in 2020 for his role in a massacre of civilians in Iraq. While Constellis claims to have no ties to Prince, the company's involvement in this contract has sparked concerns that ICE is using private security firms with connections to authoritarian figures.
The use of skip tracing services by ICE has been criticized as an attempt to undermine the agency's authority and shift the burden of enforcement onto private citizens. The move also raises concerns about the potential for abuse and mistreatment of migrants, particularly those who may be fleeing persecution or violence in their home countries.
As the Trump administration continues to push for aggressive immigration enforcement policies, critics argue that the use of private security firms like Constellis undermines efforts to build trust with immigrant communities and promote a more humane approach to enforcement.
In a move that has raised concerns about the militarization of immigration enforcement, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has awarded a contract to a company with ties to the notorious mercenary firm Blackwater to track down undocumented immigrants across the country.
Constellis Holdings, which was formed in 2014 through the merger of Academi (formerly known as Blackwater) and Triple Canopy, will provide "skip tracing" services to ICE, tasked with locating individuals on a list of 1.5 million targeted immigrants. The company's involvement has sparked fears that ICE is using private security firms to carry out its enforcement activities, rather than relying on law enforcement agencies.
The contract, worth $113 million, includes a potential bonus for contractors who locate immigrants quickly and efficiently. Records show that the government has already paid Constellis $1.5 million, with the possibility of additional payments up to 2027.
Constellis's experience in verifying individuals' personal information, including their internet activity, will likely be useful in tracking down migrants. However, critics argue that the use of private security firms for immigration enforcement raises serious concerns about accountability and transparency.
The move has also raised questions about Constellis's relationship to its founder, Erik Prince, who founded Blackwater in 1997 and was pardoned by President Donald Trump in 2020 for his role in a massacre of civilians in Iraq. While Constellis claims to have no ties to Prince, the company's involvement in this contract has sparked concerns that ICE is using private security firms with connections to authoritarian figures.
The use of skip tracing services by ICE has been criticized as an attempt to undermine the agency's authority and shift the burden of enforcement onto private citizens. The move also raises concerns about the potential for abuse and mistreatment of migrants, particularly those who may be fleeing persecution or violence in their home countries.
As the Trump administration continues to push for aggressive immigration enforcement policies, critics argue that the use of private security firms like Constellis undermines efforts to build trust with immigrant communities and promote a more humane approach to enforcement.
this is so messed up 
u can just imagine these ppl bein tracked down by some company thats connected to a mercenary firm & then taken away by ice what if its wrong ppl? what if theyre just tryna survive? we need 2 think about the consequences of our actions here 
. The fact that ICE is using private security firms with ties to authoritarian figures is just not right 
. And what's up with the bonus system for contractors who find immigrants quickly? That just sounds so wrong 
. I guess this is another example of how immigration enforcement can be super complicated and messed up 
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... i dont think its a good idea for ice to be using private security firms like constellis to track down undocumented immigrants. its like they're handing over the keys to the homeland security agency to a bunch of mercenaries 
. and have you seen how much ice is paying these companies? $113 million for skip tracing services? that's a lot of cash 
I'm really worried about this one... it's like they're outsourcing our values as a society. What if these contractors are more interested in making money than in doing what's right? We gotta be careful who we're entrusting with sensitive info and law enforcement power. It's like, what's the point of having laws if private companies can just do whatever they want and get away with it? 
also, what's up with this bonus structure? are they paying these guys to find people faster than others or is it just about getting more cash? 
this is super concerning! i mean, think about it - the us government is basically paying a company that's got ties to blackwater to go after people who are just trying to make a new life for themselves? it's like, what's next? private security firms showing up at your doorstep and asking for your papers? 
.
this is getting outta hand... u no how it feels 2 b watched & tracked by these "contractors" all day everyday? dey got skills 4 sure, but whats da point in havin sum1 watchin ur every move? 
ICE gotta rethink dis contract ASAP, its all bout control n profit, not makin life easier 4 ppl tryna start anew 
ICE is basically hiring mercenaries to track down people they don't even have enough evidence on? that's not how you make a case, that's just making stuff up and then taking it out on innocent ppl who are already being targeted for being in the wrong place at the wrong time...and now they're gonna get paid handsomely for it too 
. Who's really in charge here? The government or private contractors with ties to mercenaries? It's like the Wild West out there, except instead of cowboys, it's ICE agents and contract workers with guns drawn.
I'm freaking out about this one! I mean, think about it - we're talking about a company with Blackwater ties (aka mercenaries) getting paid $113 million to track down people just because they're undocumented 
