DHS predictive policing unit scrutinized
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
A DHS unit analyzes Americans' financial activity and flags drivers for traffic stops, a 404 Media.
The program's name, PITT, is public for the first time, raising questions about oversight.
Background
The units, called Predictive Intelligence Targeting Teams (PITT), operate within the U.S. Border Patrol, part of Customs and Border Protection under DHS. According to a 404 Media investigation, they analyze financial activity for signs of criminal activity and share the information with local police, who then pull drivers over. The report says some drivers were never flagged for committing any crimes. The program came to light amid broader scrutiny of DHS data collection and surveillance practices.
How it unfolded
- 2025A 2025 Associated Press investigation found that U.S. Border Patrol was using automatic license plate readers in its predictive-policing efforts.
- Aug 2026A study published by Georgetown Law's Center on Privacy & Technology found that DHS had collected DNA from about 3.3 million people, including U.S. citizens, for an FBI database.
- Sep 9, 2026404 Media published an investigation reporting that a DHS unit analyzes Americans' financial activity and shares the information with local police for traffic stops; the units are named Predictive Intelligence Targeting Teams (PITT).
- Sep 10, 2026Coverage of the report spread, including a CBP spokesperson's statement that Border Patrol uses intelligence-informed analysis to support national security operations and that efforts are conducted consistent with applicable law, policy, privacy protections, and oversight requirements.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- A CBP spokesperson said U.S. Border Patrol uses intelligence-informed analysis and planning to support national security operations, allocate resources, and help identify potential threats and bad actors to public safety, and that these efforts are conducted consistent with applicable law, policy, privacy protections, and oversight requirements.
- Caution
- Rob Frommer of the Institute for Justice said the government's increasing use of mass surveillance — whether via ALPRs, financial records, or the like — coupled with predictive policing is a recipe for tyranny.
- Critics
- Critics say the DNA collection program could enable broad genetic policing.
Still unverified
The 404 Media investigation's findings are allegations based on reporting; the full scope of the PITT program, how many people were flagged, and the specific criteria used have not been independently confirmed. The account of Kyle Olson's traffic stop in Montana, including the claim that a Border Patrol agent named Matthew Phelps flagged Olson's financial activity, comes from discovery documents cited in the report and has not been independently verified.