DHS Surveillance Technology Moratorium Act of 2026

The DHS Surveillance Technology Moratorium Act of 2026 temporarily halts the Department of Homeland Security from using funds to start, renew, or expand contracts for surveillance tools used in immigration enforcement, such as facial recognition and predictive analytics. This pause applies to agencies like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, though existing contracts can continue until a review is complete. The bill mandates an independent audit within 180 days to examine data collection practices, privacy impacts, and the accuracy of these technologies, followed by a public report detailing their use and capabilities. The funding ban remains in effect until the audit is finished, a public report is released, and the department demonstrates it has implemented necessary safeguards to protect civil liberties. Once these conditions are met, the moratorium lifts, but the department must submit annual reports on its continued use of these technologies and any related privacy complaints.