ICE Exploits Loophole to Access License Plate Data, Bypassing State Laws

ICE Accesses License Plate Data Through Police, Bypassing Protections: LULAC Sounds Alarm Long Beach, CA – A recent investigation by 404 Media, highlighted by the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), reveals that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is circumventing legal restrictions to access license plate data. ICE is reportedly requesting that local police departments run searches through Flock Safety’s extensive Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) network. This tactic allows ICE to bypass state and local laws designed to protect communities from unwarranted surveillance. The investigation uncovered over 4,000 license plate lookups related to immigration enforcement between June 2024 and May 2025. This raises serious concerns about potential privacy violations and a lack of transparency and accountability. The practice has been criticized as an abuse of local surveillance systems. "ICE is now tracking license plates on cars using a legal loophole," stated a LULAC spokesperson in the video. "They’re bypassing policies meant to protect our communities." The practice is particularly concerning in states like Illinois, where sharing ALPR data for immigration enforcement is explicitly illegal. The video points to a 2020 incident in Long Beach where a father was detained after police shared ALPR data with a federal database, violating a city ordinance. LULAC is calling for a public audit of police use of Flock cameras and urging state representatives to strengthen laws prohibiting the sharing of surveillance data with ICE. They emphasize the need for real consequences when federal agencies violate state laws. The organization's call to action underscores the importance of community oversight and accountability in the face of potential government overreach.