Oregon Senators Introduce Bill to Ban ICE From Using Facial Recognition

Legislation would prohibit federal immigration agencies from using biometric surveillance technologies.

Feb. 6, 2026 at 7:23pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley of Oregon have introduced the ICE Out of Our Faces Act, which would ban the Department of Homeland Security, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection, from using facial recognition and other biometric technologies. The bill would also require the deletion of biometric data collected for these purposes and allow individuals and state attorneys general to seek civil penalties for violations.

Why it matters

This legislation is a response to concerns that DHS has expanded its surveillance practices, including allegations that ICE has used facial recognition on people in public without consent. The lawmakers argue that this technology threatens privacy and civil liberties.

The details

The ICE Out of Our Faces Act would prohibit federal immigration agencies from using facial recognition systems and require the deletion of biometric data collected for these purposes. The bill is being led by Senators Wyden and Merkley, along with Senator Edward Markey of Massachusetts and Representative Pramila Jayapal of Washington. It is also co-sponsored by Senators Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland and Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

  • The legislation was introduced on February 7, 2026.

The players

Ron Wyden

A U.S. Senator from Oregon who is leading the ICE Out of Our Faces Act.

Jeff Merkley

A U.S. Senator from Oregon who is leading the ICE Out of Our Faces Act.

Edward Markey

A U.S. Senator from Massachusetts who is co-sponsoring the ICE Out of Our Faces Act.

Pramila Jayapal

A U.S. Representative from Washington who is co-sponsoring the ICE Out of Our Faces Act.

Angela Alsobrooks

A U.S. Senator from Maryland who is co-sponsoring the ICE Out of Our Faces Act.

Bernie Sanders

A U.S. Senator from Vermont who is co-sponsoring the ICE Out of Our Faces Act.

Department of Homeland Security

The federal agency that includes Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection, which the legislation aims to prohibit from using facial recognition and other biometric technologies.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The legislation will now proceed through the legislative process, with the potential for further debate and amendments before a vote in Congress.

The takeaway

This bill represents an effort by lawmakers to address concerns about the use of invasive surveillance technologies by federal immigration agencies, which they argue threaten individual privacy and civil liberties. The outcome of this legislation could have significant implications for the future use of biometric identification tools by law enforcement.