Many migrant workers in the United States are using special apps to track the location of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. These apps are giving them more confidence and helping them avoid detention during their daily routines.
Oscar, a migrant from Venezuela, works legally in the U.S. under Temporary Protected Status. He transports horses across the country. Even though he has legal status, he still fears being arrested by ICE agents. Oscar shared, “I feel like someone is always behind me, even if I haven’t done anything wrong.”
To reduce his fear, Oscar uses a mobile app called Coqui, which shows real-time ICE activity. During a recent job from New York to South Carolina, he saw ICE agents nearby on the app and decided to take a different route to stay safe.
Coqui is just one of several apps that help users know if ICE agents are in the area. The app was created by Peter, who also asked that his full name not be revealed. Peter, who runs an animal rescue, said he made the app not just to help others, but because he needed workers to feel safe enough to come to work. “People were scared to leave their homes,” he said.
ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan has concerns about these apps. She believes they could be misused and even lead to harm. “Technology and free speech have their place,” she said, “but it becomes a problem when law enforcement efforts are at risk.”
Still, for many migrant workers like Oscar, the app provides comfort. He says that even though he is legally in the country, ICE agents sometimes arrest people without asking questions. “I saw people I know being detained and deported,” he added.
What do these apps mean for migrants living legally in the U.S.?
These apps offer a small sense of security. For Oscar and others like him, they help reduce stress and allow them to work without as much fear. “Getting deported would mean the end of my American dream,” Oscar said.
These tools may not change the law, but they are helping migrants navigate daily life more safely in a system that often feels uncertain.