Here’s How Apps Are Helping Immigrants Resist ICE Raids
Since returning to office in January, President Trump has ramped up efforts to increase the deportation of immigrants, setting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) a goal of arresting at least 3,000 migrants a day.
In response, ICE raids have surged across the country. High-profile workplace operations in cities like Los Angeles have led to widespread protests and federal deployments. According to The Independent, demonstrations have erupted in more than 40 cities.
Many of the recent detentions involve individuals with no prior criminal record. Immigrants now face the risk of arrest in spaces once thought to be safe, such as their homes, workplaces, schools, and community centers, fueling anxiety and uncertainty within immigrant communities.
Apps Empowering Communities on the Ground
A growing number of mobile apps are helping immigrants stay safe amid ICE deportations, providing critical information such as “Know Your Rights” guides and legal aid resources, according to the Rest of World.
“Faster response to assist detained migrants can be key to intervening before a deportation is finalized, whether by helping someone file an appeal or locating a detainee’s children who have been left alone at home,” Antonio Escobedo, Guatemala’s deputy minister for foreign affairs, told Rest of World.
The Guatemalan government’s ConsulApp Guate, for example, digitizes access to consular services, helping families respond quickly when a loved one is arrested and even locating children left behind at home.
Similarly, ConsulApp Contigo, launched by the Mexican government in January, offers migrants access to legal information, consular office locations, and emergency services. On Google Play, it’s described as a comprehensive care tool for Mexican migrants in vulnerable situations.
Digital Tools Offer Real-Time Protection
Several apps crowdsource and verify ICE sightings, often including photos, videos, and notes, then display them on maps and push notifications, sometimes within minutes of a report.
Hack Latino, an AI-powered app for Latinos in the US, was created by entrepreneur Adrian Lozano Jr. The app features restaurant suggestions and consular information, but in April, it introduced a map of ICE sightings.
Know Your Right 4 Immigrants was created by the National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (Nakasec) and volunteer Google developers in 2017. It was launched to help users be aware of their constitutional rights during encounters with law enforcement. The app was relaunched this year and is available in over 20 languages.
Globally, RefAid remains a staple in migrant support. Launched in the UK in 2016, it operates in 41 countries and is used by more than 7,500 nonprofits and agencies. The app delivers user-oriented, location-based information on services for migrants.
Privacy-Focused Apps Gain Traction
As federal agencies increasingly deploy technologies like facial recognition, social media monitoring, and location tracking, app developers are doubling down on privacy. Many platforms avoid collecting personal data or storing device identifiers, while some bypass mainstream app stores altogether to avoid government subpoenas or hacking risks.
For example, ICEBlock, an iPhone-exclusive app, allows users to report ICE sightings within a five-mile radius without collecting any user data. Reports vanish after four hours, and users can only submit one report every five minutes to prevent misuse.
SignalSafe, another crowdsourced mapping tool, allows users to upload anonymous alerts along with visual and text-based evidence. It helps communities coordinate responses to raids in real-time while maintaining strict anonymity.
Image: Jason Leung
