ICE Used Fake Cell Towers to Spy on Phones

ICE Contracts for Cell-Site Simulator Vehicles

Earlier this year, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) allocated $825,000 to a firm specializing in law enforcement vehicle manufacturing. This company provides vehicles outfitted with a range of technologies, including cell-site simulators – devices capable of monitoring nearby mobile phones.

Details of the Award

Public records indicate the May 8th award is intended “to provide Cell Site Simulator (CSS) Vehicles to support the Homeland Security Technical Operations program.” It represents an augmentation for “additional CSS Vehicles.”

The contracting party was TechOps Specialty Vehicles (TOSV), a company located in Maryland. Prior to the current administration, TOSV secured a comparable contract with ICE in September 2024, valued at $818,000, demonstrating a pre-existing relationship.

Company Response and Capabilities

Jon Brianas, president of TOSV, stated in correspondence with TechCrunch that specifics regarding the ICE contracts and the vehicles themselves are confidential due to “trade secrets.”

However, Brianas confirmed the company does supply cell-site simulators, clarifying that they integrate these components into their vehicle designs rather than manufacturing them directly. He declined to disclose the source of these simulators.

Broader Context of Federal Contracts

This recent contract is among a series of federal agreements revealing the technologies utilized in the implementation of stricter deportation policies.

Recent ICE Use of Cell-Site Simulators

A recently unsealed search warrant, discovered by Forbes in early September, revealed ICE’s deployment of a cell-site simulator to locate an individual suspected of gang affiliation and subject to a deportation order issued in 2023.

The Forbes report also referenced a contract for “cell site simulator vehicles,” though the provider was not initially identified.

Understanding Cell-Site Simulator Technology

These devices are also commonly referred to as “stingrays,” originating from early models produced by defense contractor Harris (now L3Harris). The term has since become a general descriptor for this technology, also known as IMSI catchers.

IMSI stands for International Mobile Subscriber Identity, a unique identifier for each mobile phone user globally.

Cell-site simulators function by mimicking cellular towers, compelling nearby phones to connect to the device. This allows law enforcement to pinpoint the physical location of phones and their users.

Certain cell-site simulators are also capable of intercepting phone calls, text messages, and internet data.

Limitations of Traditional Cell Tower Data

While authorities can obtain location data from conventional cellular towers, the precision of this information is typically limited.

Controversies and Concerns

Law enforcement has utilized stingray-like devices for over a decade, sparking ongoing debate. Concerns center on the frequent lack of warrants for their use and the potential for indiscriminate data collection from innocent individuals.

Secrecy surrounding these devices is also a point of contention, as agencies employing them are often bound by strict non-disclosure agreements.

ICE’s History with Cell-Site Simulators

ICE has a documented history of employing cell-site simulators. Data obtained by the American Civil Liberties Union in 2020 showed at least 466 deployments between 2017 and 2019.

Prior to that, documents acquired by BuzzFeed News indicated over 1,885 uses of these tools between 2013 and 2017.

ICE’s Response to Inquiries

ICE acknowledged TechCrunch’s request for comment but did not provide responses to specific questions regarding the purpose of these vehicles, recent deployment locations, or warrant procedures for cell-site simulator usage.

Specialized Vehicles from TOSV

Located near Washington, DC, TOSV provides a diverse selection of vehicles tailored for various law enforcement agencies. These vehicles are highly customizable and cater to specialized units.

TOSV’s offerings include vans designed for SWAT teams, bomb disposal squads, and mobile forensic operations. They also produce vehicles intended for covert surveillance purposes.

Department of Homeland Security Projects

The company’s website details several “projects,” notably including “DHS Mobile Forensic Labs” for the Department of Homeland Security.

These mobile forensic vans are designed for on-location analysis and documentation of evidence. They feature secure storage for evidence and investigative equipment.

Furthermore, these vans facilitate real-time updates to case files and comprehensive evidence logging procedures.

Mobile Command and Surveillance Capabilities

Another project highlighted by TOSV is the “DHS Mobile Command Van.” This vehicle is engineered for sophisticated surveillance and effective mission coordination.

Currently, it remains unconfirmed whether these vans incorporate cell-site simulators, as TOSV’s website does not mention this technology.

Contracts with ICE

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) maintains separate contracts with TOSV for mobile forensic labs. The specifics of the technologies housed within these vans are not detailed in the contract documentation.