Amnesty International accuses US of using AI to surveil migrants and pro-Palestine students
Amnesty International has alleged that the US government is using AI surveillance tools from Babel Street and Palantir to monitor and target migrants and foreign students who support Palestine. The organization claims this represents systematic human rights violations including unlawful arrests, mass deportations, and suppression of free expression.
What happened
Amnesty International accused the US government on August 21, 2025, of violating human rights by using AI tools to massively surveil migrants and foreign students who support Palestine, in the context of protests against Israel's war in Gaza.
Erika Gevara-Rosas, head of research at Amnesty International, stated that the government has deployed AI-based technologies as part of a programme of mass deportations and suppression of pro-Palestine expression. The organization specifically cited AI-enhanced tools created by Babel Street and Palantir, namely Babel X and Immigration OS respectively, which have automated capabilities to identify, track and assess people at scale and in real time.
Reported impact
Amnesty International reported that the use of such technologies leads to a multitude of human rights violations. The organization stated that targeting foreign students, refugees and asylum seekers with these technologies translates into illegal arrests and mass deportations, creating a climate of fear and causing a 'chilling effect' on migrants and foreign students in schools and universities.
Foreign students reportedly hesitate to study in the US or worry about social media posts supporting Palestine or criticizing President Trump, according to statements cited in the reporting.
Index analysis
The technologies reportedly enable automated identification, tracking and continuous assessment of large populations simultaneously. Babel X allows rapid scanning of data using AI, and Immigration OS was created with government contracts in defense and intelligence sectors.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.