Lawmakers Invest in ICE Contractor Palantir Despite Criticizing Immigration Policies

Democratic representatives have disclosed buying hundreds of thousands of dollars in Palantir stock, even as they condemn the company's work with ICE.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Several Democratic lawmakers, including Reps. Gil Cisneros, Cleo Fields, Jonathan Jackson, and Ro Khanna, have disclosed purchasing significant amounts of Palantir stock, even as they have publicly criticized the Trump administration's immigration policies and actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Palantir, a military contractor, has secured over $80 million in contracts with ICE to develop advanced AI tools for federal immigration agents.

Why it matters

The revelations of these lawmakers' Palantir investments raise questions about potential conflicts of interest and the influence of money in politics. While these representatives have been vocal critics of ICE and the Trump administration's immigration agenda, their personal financial stakes in a company profiting from those policies appear to contradict their public stances.

The details

Lawmakers like Cisneros, Fields, Jackson, and Khanna have all disclosed purchasing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of Palantir stock, even as they have called for the impeachment of Homeland Security officials, criticized ICE's actions, and demanded improved conditions in detention centers. Some, like Jackson, have since expressed regret over the investments and asked their financial advisers to divest from Palantir.

  • In 2025, Palantir secured over $80 million in contract obligations with ICE to develop advanced AI tools for federal immigration agents.
  • In December 2025, Rep. Jonathan Jackson bought $15,000 to $50,000 in Palantir stock.
  • In April 2025, Rep. Ro Khanna's spouse bought up to $50,000 in Palantir stock, days after reports that ICE contracted with Palantir to develop a tool called ImmigrationOS.

The players

Gil Cisneros

A Democratic U.S. Representative from California who has made immigration central to his platform and called for the impeachment of the Homeland Security Secretary, but also purchased up to $75,000 worth of Palantir stock in 2025.

Cleo Fields

A Democratic U.S. Representative from Louisiana who has become one of Congress's most prolific stock traders and disclosed six purchases of Palantir stock last year together worth up to $765,000, despite calling for the impeachment of the Homeland Security Secretary.

Jonathan Jackson

A Democratic U.S. Representative from Illinois who criticized Trump's threats to send the National Guard to Chicago and enhance immigration actions, but also bought $15,000 to $50,000 in Palantir stock in December 2025, which he later said he regretted and asked his financial adviser to divest.

Ro Khanna

A Democratic U.S. Representative from California who has called on the Homeland Security Secretary to improve conditions in ICE detention centers and has called for the impeachment and prosecution of top immigration officials, but whose spouse bought up to $50,000 in Palantir stock in April 2025.

Palantir

A California-based military contractor that has secured over $80 million in contract obligations with ICE to develop advanced AI tools for federal immigration agents.

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What they’re saying

“Well, I understand that's not the only thing they do. They are involved in a lot of military work as well.”

— Gil Cisneros, U.S. Representative (NOTUS)

“I don't have any thoughts on that.”

— Cleo Fields, U.S. Representative (NOTUS)

“I am absolutely embarrassed with that investment. That's what my financial and professional counselor had done. And so, of course, we have made the ethical decision to hire that individual since I've been up here, and he made that decision, which I recommend against.”

— Jonathan Jackson, U.S. Representative (NOTUS)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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