Krishnamoorthi, Pettersen Lead 35 Lawmakers Demanding Answers on ICE’s Backdoor Access to Flock Surveillance Network

WASHINGTON - Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) and Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) today led 33 other House Democrats in demanding answers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following reports that the agency has used local police to gain backdoor access to Flock Safety's nationwide license plate surveillance network. In a letter to Acting ICE Director David Venturella, the lawmakers demanded information about whose movements ICE has been tracking, how the information has been used, and what legal authority permits this surveillance. The letter follows Krishnamoorthi's previous investigation into Flock's surveillance practices and his introduction of the bipartisan NO FLOCK Act.

"ICE's use of local police as a backdoor to access Flock's license plate cameras and secretly track Americans' movements is an outrageous abuse of power," said Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi. "The Trump administration cannot use local law enforcement to circumvent the Fourth Amendment and evade accountability. We are demanding answers about who ICE has been tracking, how this information has been used, and whether anyone has been detained or arrested as a result of this surveillance."

"Reports that ICE is using local police as a backdoor to track people's movements is terrifying and should alarm every single one of us. Especially during the Trump administration, which is looking for every opportunity to track and deport even law-abiding people," said Congresswoman Pettersen. "I'm demanding answers about who ICE is tracking, how this information is being used, and what is stopping agents from abusing it. ICE does not get a blank check to spy on families and communities."

Recent reporting uncovered more than 4,000 searches of Flock camera data by state and local law enforcement for federal authorities or potential immigration enforcement purposes. The reporting described how ICE obtained access through local police despite having no formal contract with Flock governing that access. Flock's automatic license plate readers record vehicle locations, allowing law enforcement to search camera networks and track individuals' movements across communities and state lines.

In their letter, the lawmakers write:

"The ability of federal agents to access vast quantities of location tracking data, without judicial authorization and without public disclosure, constitutes an unprecedented intrusion into the privacy of the general public, and must be explained immediately."

The lawmakers requested responses by November 20, 2026, to the following questions:

1. How many times has an ICE agent obtained data from Flock Cameras, whether directly or through state or local law enforcement partners?
2. For what purpose is ICE accessing and obtaining data from Flock Cameras?
3. Have any individuals been detained, arrested, or otherwise subjected to enforcement actions as a result of information obtained from Flock Cameras? If yes, please provide that number.
4. What authority or legal statute is ICE purporting to operate under when accessing Flock Camera data? Please provide that authority or legal statute.
5. Does ICE maintain any internal policy governing the use of ALPR data obtained through third party or indirect means? If so, please provide that policy.
6. Has ICE conducted any legal review regarding whether accessing ALPR data through state or local partners complies with federal privacy protections, the Fourth Amendment, or DHS policy? If so, please provide that review. If not, please indicate whether the agency plans to do so.
7. Does ICE intend to formalize a contract or memorandum of understanding with Flock Safety or any other ALPR vendor?

Congressman Krishnamoorthi previously partnered with House Oversight Committee Ranking Member Robert Garcia to investigate Flock Safety's surveillance practices, including the use of license plate data to track women seeking abortion care and conduct unauthorized immigration enforcement. He also joined Senator Ron Wyden in calling for a Federal Trade Commission investigation into Flock's cybersecurity practices and introduced the bipartisan NO FLOCK Act with Congressman Michael Cloud to condition federal transportation funding on states restricting license plate reader use to specified public safety and toll enforcement purposes.

The full letter is available HERE.