Microsoft employees voice ethical concerns over ICE contracts

Documents obtained by The Guardian, +972 Magazine, and Local Call reveal that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) more than tripled the amount of data stored on Microsoft’s Azure over a six-month period ending in January 2026. This period coincided with ICE’s budget growth and a rapid increase in staff.

The leaked files show ICE used Microsoft’s AI-powered productivity tools to search and analyze data stored on Azure. They also suggest that some of ICE’s own systems and tools may run on Microsoft servers, CE Report quotes Anadolu Agency.

While the types of data stored on Microsoft servers are not specified, the documents indicate the agency used “blob storage” for raw data and AI tools to analyze images and videos and translate text. In January, ICE reportedly held around 1,400 terabytes of data on Azure — enough to store roughly 490 million photos if it were entirely images — up from 400 terabytes in July 2025.

The documents also reveal ICE used remotely accessible virtual machines on Azure, renting high-capacity cloud-based computers to run its software. However, there is no information indicating whether ICE used Azure to store or analyze surveillance or intelligence data, or to support other functions like detention centers or deportation flights. ICE did not respond to requests for comment.

Microsoft stated that it does not believe ICE used its technology for such purposes. A company spokesperson said Microsoft provides cloud-based productivity and collaboration tools to ICE and the Department of Homeland Security through partners, and company policies prohibit using its technology for mass civilian surveillance.

The report notes that ICE has more than doubled its staff since January 2025. The documents raise questions about Microsoft technology’s role in ICE operations, amid allegations of unlawful and excessive-force actions.

ICE’s operations have increased over the past year as part of the Trump administration’s mass deportation efforts. Following two deaths in Minneapolis, ICE’s funding has been debated in Congress, contributing to partial federal government shutdowns.

The agency reportedly uses surveillance technologies including facial recognition, phone location databases, drones, and spyware. Its cloud computing spending has grown alongside its operations, with contracts awarded to major companies like Amazon and Microsoft through third-party vendors.

According to sources, ICE’s access to Microsoft’s productivity apps, including document management tools and AI chatbots, has also significantly expanded. Some Microsoft employees reportedly raised internal ethical concerns about ICE’s use of its technology.

ICE’s budget was increased by $75 billion in July 2025, making it the most heavily funded law enforcement agency in the U.S., with contracts awarded to both large companies like Palantir and smaller providers.