U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has officially confirmed the acquisition and deployment of spyware developed by Paragon Solutions for use in drug trafficking investigations. Acting Director Todd Lyons disclosed the agency’s operational use of the technology in a formal letter addressed to members of Congress.
Strategic Deployment Against Encrypted Platforms
In his correspondence, Lyons justified the adoption of these “cutting-edge technological tools” as a necessary response to the exploitation of encrypted communication platforms by foreign terrorist organizations. The agency maintains that the inability to access encrypted data presents a significant barrier to modern law enforcement, necessitating the use of spyware capable of extracting information directly from target devices.
Lyons emphasized that the utilization of these tools is subject to strict internal oversight. He asserted that the agency’s operations “comply with constitutional requirements” and certified that the use of Paragon’s software does not introduce significant security risks, counterintelligence threats, or the potential for improper exploitation by foreign entities.
Contract History and Regulatory Hurdles
The relationship between ICE and the U.S.-Israeli firm Paragon Solutions has faced intense scrutiny. After an initial contract was signed in 2024, the Biden administration temporarily suspended the deal. The pause was intended to ensure alignment with a federal executive order designed to prevent the use of commercial spyware that poses risks to human rights or could target Americans abroad.
Following a review, ICE lifted the suspension in September 2025, though the agency had remained silent regarding its specific intent to deploy the technology until now. This development was initially reported by Bloomberg.
Controversy and Ethical Concerns
Paragon’s software has previously been linked to international controversy. In Italy, the company’s “Graphite” spyware was identified in reports revealing the targeting of journalists and pro-immigration activists, leading Paragon to subsequently sever ties with Italian intelligence agencies.
The decision to move forward with the technology in the U.S. has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers. Representative Summer Lee, who previously requested information from the agency, criticized the move as a shift toward “invasive spyware technology inside the United States.”
“Instead of answering the serious constitutional and civil rights concerns that we raised, DHS is asking the public to accept vague assurances and fear-based justifications,” Lee stated. She further argued that vulnerable populations—including immigrants, journalists, and community organizers—are at heightened risk from an agency she claims has a documented history of overreach.
To date, both Paragon Solutions and ICE have declined to provide further comment regarding the specific scope or ongoing use of the spyware.