Wyden reveals ICE buys phone location data without warrants through PenLink

Sen. Ron Wyden disclosed on March 3-4, 2026 that ICE had contracted with Penlink to purchase commercial phone location data, enabling surveillance without obtaining warrants by exploiting the third-party data broker loophole. ICE had previously ended a similar program in 2023 under congressional pressure but quietly resumed purchasing location data. Wyden wrote to the DHS Inspector General requesting a second investigation and joined 70 House Democrats demanding a probe.