ICE confirms purchase of Paragon spyware for drug trafficking investigations

The acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has informed lawmakers that the agency has purchased and deployed spyware developed by Paragon Solutions as part of its efforts to investigate drug trafficking cases, according to a letter shared with members of Congress.

In the correspondence, Acting Director Todd Lyons stated that he authorised Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the agency's investigative division, to use what he described as advanced technological tools. These tools are intended to counter the growing use of encrypted communication platforms by foreign criminal organisations, which law enforcement agencies say makes traditional surveillance methods less effective.

Authorities have long justified the use of spyware as a necessary response to encrypted messaging, as such tools allow direct access to data on a person's device. At the same time, critics and human rights advocates have repeatedly raised concerns about the broader implications of such technology, citing numerous cases in which similar surveillance tools have targeted journalists, political figures, and members of civil society.

Lyons wrote in the letter that ICE's use of spyware complies with constitutional standards. He also stated that he had formally certified that the operational deployment of the specific tool does not introduce significant risks related to security, counterintelligence, or misuse by foreign entities.

Bloomberg first reported the letter's existence and ICE's position on the matter.

ICE initially entered into a contract with Paragon Solutions in 2024. However, the agreement was temporarily suspended by the Biden administration to determine whether it aligned with an executive order restricting U.S. agencies from using spyware that could potentially be misused to target individuals, including Americans abroad, or violate human rights protections.

In September 2025, the agency reinstated the contract after lifting the suspension. Until now, it had not been publicly confirmed whether ICE had actively used the spyware.

Paragon Solutions has also faced scrutiny internationally. The company became involved in a controversy in Italy after reports revealed that its spyware, known as Graphite, had been used to target journalists and pro-immigration activists. Following the incident, Paragon reportedly terminated access to its tools for Italian intelligence agencies.

Reacting to the confirmation, Summer Lee, one of the lawmakers who requested information from ICE, expressed concern about the agency's actions. She stated that ICE is moving forward with the use of invasive surveillance technology within the United States.

Lee criticised the agency's response to earlier inquiries, saying that instead of addressing constitutional and civil rights concerns in detail, authorities have relied on broad assurances and security-based justifications. She added that communities potentially affected by such surveillance — including immigrants, journalists, and activists — deserve greater transparency and accountability from government agencies with a history of overreach.

The confirmation marks a significant development in the ongoing debate over the use of commercial spyware by government agencies, highlighting the tension between law enforcement priorities and civil liberties concerns.