The interim leader of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement informed legislators that the agency has acquired and utilized spyware from Paragon Solutions in drug trafficking investigations, as per a letter reviewed by TechCrunch.

ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons conveyed in his correspondence to three congress members that he sanctioned the agency’s criminal investigative division, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), to deploy “state-of-the-art technological resources” to combat “foreign terrorist organizations’ rampant exploitation of encrypted communication channels,” in reference to spyware. 

The challenge law enforcement faces in accessing encrypted information has frequently been cited as validation for the necessity of employing computer and cellphone spyware in significant criminal investigations, as it can directly extract data from an individual’s device. Critics and advocates for human rights have long highlighted the escalating number of journalists, political figures, and civil society members whose devices have been compromised by governments utilizing commercial spyware.

In the letter, Lyons stated that ICE’s deployment of spyware would “adhere to constitutional standards,” and that he “certified that HSI’s practical application of the specific tool does not present considerable security or counterintelligence threats, or significant risks of improper employment by a foreign regime or foreign individual.”

Bloomberg was the first to disclose ICE’s correspondence to lawmakers.

In 2024, ICE entered into a contract with U.S.-Israeli spyware firm Paragon Solutions, a contract that was swiftly put on hold by the Biden administration to determine whether it met the criteria of an executive order restricting U.S. agencies from utilizing spyware that could target Americans overseas or violate human rights.

In September 2025, ICE revoked the suspension and reinstated the contract. Nevertheless, it was unclear until now if ICE planned to utilize Paragon’s spyware.

The spyware manufacturer has become embroiled in a extensive scandal in Italy, where it was uncovered that journalists and pro-immigration advocates were targeted using Paragon’s spyware Graphite last year. In response, Paragon severed ties with Italy’s intelligence agencies regarding its spyware products.

When contacted for feedback, Democratic Rep. Summer Lee, one of the lawmakers who sought information from ICE, informed TechCrunch that the agency is now proceeding “with intrusive spyware technology within the United States. 

The legislator further stated, “rather than addressing the serious constitutional and civil rights issues we raised, DHS is urging the public to accept vague reassurances and fear-driven justifications.”

“The individuals most vulnerable, including immigrants, Black and brown communities, journalists, activists, and anyone voicing opposition to government misconduct, deserve more than secrecy and evasion from an agency with a long history of overreach and misconduct,” remarked Lee.

Paragon and ICE did not respond to TechCrunch’s inquiries regarding the agency’s use of spyware.