Name: Smartwatch surveillance: Has ICE gone too far?
Uploaded: 2025-12-18T18:59:29.048Z
Duration: 3 min 23 s
Description: ICE is tracking some pregnant immigrants- even during labor when it poses a medical risk. Here’s how this surveillance strategy works and why it could threaten everyone’s privacy and rights.

ICE is tracking some pregnant immigrants- even during labor when it poses a medical risk. Here’s how this surveillance strategy works and why it could threaten everyone’s privacy and rights.

Washington

Pregnant immigrants supervised by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are required to wear GPS-enabled smartwatches, including during hospital visits and medical emergencies. These devices track location and collect sensitive medical data, which is stored in a large federal database, raising concerns about privacy, data security, and potential misuse.

NGOs and experts warn that this surveillance may violate human rights and deter vulnerable groups from seeking necessary healthcare, as shown by significant drops in medical appointments and prescription pickups at some clinics. ICE maintains that the monitoring is for compliance and public safety, but critics argue the measures are invasive and could endanger the health of pregnant women and their babies.

Smartwatch surveillance: Has ICE gone too far?

Imagine going into labor and feeling terrified that the government might arrest you. This is the reality for some pregnant immigrants under supervision of the US Immigration Enforcement, ICE. A pregnant woman arrived at a US hospital in labor, wearing a mandated GPS smartwatch. When doctors needed to remove the device for a C-section, she panicked, fearing ICE would think that she was trying to disappear. Similar incidents happened with at least two other pregnant patients recently. Why should we care? Well, because it's an example of the downsides of government surveillance. How much tracking are we willing to accept and by who? Pregnant women under ICE supervision must wear GPS-enabled smartwatches under the Alternatives to Detention program. It tracks their every move, even in the hospital. They are not allowed to remove the smartwatch themselves. Only an ICE agent can. If a watch is removed, ICE could interpret it as an attempt to evade monitoring, potentially leading to detention or arrest. That's why some pregnant women refuse to take them off, even during medical emergencies. And even when the watch could interfere with medical equipment. The smartwatches used by ICE don't just track someone's location, but also record sensitive medical information. Combined with facial scans, court and personal records, this feeds a massive US master database covering nearly 190,000 immigrants. Experts warn that centralizing data like this creates huge risks, like hacking or abuse. If, for example, insurance companies got access to such a database, they could deny coverage based on health or immigration status. A database like this can put vulnerable groups at serious risk. NGOs say this level of surveillance violates human rights and jeopardizes health access for vulnerable groups like pregnant women and asylum seekers. ICE argues the monitoring methods are a tool for compliance and public safety. They say their goal is to limit immigration and prevent people from crossing the border without visas or proper documentation. They also refer to pregnant and nursing women specifically, saying they will never detain them unless there are exceptional circumstances. They don't give any details on what those may be. So does public safety justify surveillance methods like ICE's tracking with smartwatches? Have a look at this. Fear of ICE enforcement is driving people away from vital health care. In Chicago, one major health center saw a 30% drop in appointments and a 40% drop in prescription pickups since 2024, driven by fear of ICE. Pregnant women who delay or skip medical care risk serious health complications for themselves and their babies. This isn't the first time US authorities have been criticized for their surveillance methods. ICE's mobile license plate app lets officers scan license plates and run facial recognition in real time using a program called Mobile Companion. By tapping into private and commercial camera networks, a powerful nationwide tracking system was created. Constant tracking needs more data and power for authorities. On the other hand, it's invasive and can be a serious violation of personal freedom. How do you feel about surveillance? How much is acceptable and under what conditions? Share your thoughts below.

Under a law passed by Congress and signed by President Trump, the Justice Department has until Friday to release its files on the Jeffrey Epstein case. House Democrats released more photos from the estate of the convicted sex offender. Scott MacFarlane reports.

House Democrats release more Epstein photos ahead of DOJ deadline

The European Commission announced it will delay the signing of the Mercosur trade agreement until the new year after Meloni asked for more time. No date has been set. Backers hope deal won't be further derailed.

Brussels

Mercosur signature delayed to January after Meloni asked for more time

President Trump on Thursday signed an executive order to reclassify marijuana as a Schedule III drug. CBS News White House reporter Aaron Navarro has more on that and the president's year-end address from Wednesday night.

Trump signs executive order reclassifying marijuana

President Donald Trump laid out what he claims are the reasons that America's economy is thriving in an address to the nation. This comes as Americans remain concerned about high prices.

Trump touts economic record during address to nation

Multiple sources tell CBS News a person of interest has been identified in the mass shooting at Brown University. CBS News' Tom Hanson reports.

Providence

Person of interest identified in deadly Brown University shooting

Brazil’s Senate passed a bill that could drastically reduce former President Jair Bolsonaro’s 27-year prison sentence for plotting a coup, potentially cutting his time behind bars to just over two years.

Rio de Janeiro

Brazil Congress passes bill to cut Bolsonaro prison term

EU leaders are split in Brussels over using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine. Poland backs urgent action, while Belgium resists over legal and financial risks. Ukraine is pressing for a decision by year’s end.

Ukraine Invasion

EU leaders urge swift decision on frozen Russian funds for Ukraine

The U.S. military said Wednesday that it attacked a boat accused of smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing four people on the same day the House rejected efforts to limit President Donald Trump’s power to use military force against drug cartels.

New U.S. strike on alleged drug boat kills four

The U.S. Justice Department said late on Wednesday (December 17) the federal government was liable in the fatal January 29 collision of an Army Black Hawk helicopter and American Airlines regional jet that killed 67 people near Reagan Washington National Airport.

U.S. admits liability in fatal Black Hawk-American Airlines crash

Nick Reiner made his first court appearance after being charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the killing of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner.

Los Angeles

Nick Reiner appears in court on murder charges in killing of parents

The United States on Wednesday (December 17) approved $11.1 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, marking the largest ever U.S. weapons package for the island, which is under increasing military pressure from China.

U.S. approves $11.1 billion arms package for Taiwan, largest ever

EU leaders will gather in the coming hours to vote on potentially using nearly 200 billion dollars in frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. But it's a controversial and risky plan.

EU leaders to vote on Ukraine loan backed by frozen Russian assets

Nick Reiner made his first court appearance on Wednesday since being arrested for the killings of his parents, Rob and Michele.

Nick Reiner makes first court appearance since parents' deaths

Vladimir Putin said Russia would achieve its goals by diplomatic or military means and would seek to expand a “security buffer” zone in Ukraine.

Moscow

Putin warns Russia will extend gains in Ukraine if peace talks fail

Newly-released surveillance video shows Nick Reiner at a gas station convenience store just hours after he allegedly fatally stabbed his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, and minutes before he was taken into custody.

New surveillance video shows Nick Reiner before his arrest

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on social media a "total and complete blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers" going in and out of Venezuela. Some details remain unclear, including when the order would be implemented and how many tankers could be involved.

Caracas

Trump orders blockade on Venezuela oil tankers

A man who allegedly opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney's famed Bondi Beach has been charged with 59 offences, including murder and terrorism, New South Wales Police said.

Council of the City of Sydney

Accused Bondi Beach gunman formally charged with 59 offences

The Trump administration has issued a full travel ban on five more countries as well as people traveling on documents issued by the Palestinian Authority. It also imposed new limits on 15 other countries.

Trump expands travel ban, restrictions to include 20 new countries

Australia mourns victims of the Bondi Beach shooting – As police prepare charges against the surviving gunman.

Bondi Beach shooting: Funerals begin as investigation continues

Four days into the manhunt, law enforcement officials in Providence, Rhode Island, are still unable to publicly identify a suspect, despite a $50,000 reward and pleas for help.

Police release new images of person of interest in Brown shooting

Nick Reiner will be charged with two counts of first-degree murder with special circumstances for the killings of his parents, Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner, who were found dead in their home over the weekend, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said.

Rob Reiner's son to be charged with first degree murder of parents

U.S. military actions in international waters near Venezuela are under scrutiny following a September 2nd strike on a boat the U.S. claimed was transporting drugs, though no evidence has been provided.

U.S. bombings in international waters face scrutiny over Venezuela

The U.S. military says it has conducted another series of deadly strikes on three alleged drug boats in the Eastern Pacific, killing eight people. CBS News congressional correspondent Nikole Killion reports on that and more from Capitol Hill.

U.S. hits three more alleged drug boats in the Pacific, killing eight

U.S. President Donald Trump has followed through on his threat to sue the BBC over a misleading video edit of a speech he made on January 6, 2021, and filed a lawsuit against the media corporation on December 15. He will be seeking 10 billion dollars in damages.

London

Trump sues BBC over misleading video editing of speech

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says a proposal to end his country's nearly four-year war with Russia are "very workable" and could be finalized within days, but he warns key issues remain.

Kyiv

Zelenskyy says 'workable' peace plan could be presented to Russia soon

On December 16, the Paris labour court ruled on the long-running dispute between Kylian Mbappé and his former club, PSG. It ordered PSG to pay over 60 million euros to the player in unpaid wages and bonuses.

Paris

Mbappé to be awarded over 60 million euros by PSG, French court rules

Police say the alleged gunmen who opened fire at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney's Bondi Beach had traveled to Mindanao in the Philippines last month, as investigators probe ties to extremist networks.

Bondi Beach

Islamic State link eyed after Bondi Beach gunmen's Philippine visit

Zelenskyy hails progress with the US during Berlin talks about security guarantees. Europeans vow to protect Ukraine, including via military means, against Russia in the future. But disagreements over territories remain.

Berlin

EU vows to assist Ukraine against future Russia attack at Berlin talks

Australia's prime minister said a mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach appears to have been motivated by ISIS ideology. Meanwhile, mourners flocked to the site to lay flowers and grieve for the people killed, including a 10-year-old child.

Bondi Beach shooting motivated by ISIS ideology: Australian PM

Four people have been arrested in California - charged with plotting a series of bombing attacks on multiple targets on New Year's Eve.

Breakdown