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BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Commission on Immigrant Affairs Recommendation Number: 20250602011: Opposing the Use of Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) Due to Their Impact on Immigrant Communities WHEREAS, Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) collect and store location data on every vehicle that passes their cameras; and WHEREAS, the Austin Police Department (APD) facilitates the basic operations of the Austin Regional Intelligence center (ARIC) where the agency actively shares data and intelligence with many law enforcement agencies, including federal agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE); and those who are WHEREAS, the data sharing structure places undocumented, at a heightened risk of surveillance, detention, and deportation for routine activities such as driving to work, school, or medical appointments; and immigrant residents, especially WHEREAS, a recent audit1 of the program found “that while the department largely complied with policies during the yearlong pilot, internal audit procedures and vendor contracts left room for improvement and potential privacy risks”2; and WHEREAS, the audit also raised concerns with the vendor Flock Safety’s language, which states Flock has a ‘non-exclusive, worldwide, perpetual right’ to use and share anonymized data for development purposes3; and WHEREAS, this unchecked use of surveillance technology creates a chilling effect in immigrant communities, discouraging residents from seeking services, participating in civic life, or interacting with public institution due to fear of exposure and retaliation; and THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Commission on Immigrant Affairs recommends the City of Austin oppose the deployment and expansion of ALPR systems that endanger the safety and dignity of immigrant communities; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Commission on Immigrant Affairs recommends the City of Austin commits to policies that protect immigrant residents from federal surveillance and prioritizes investments in community safety, legal services, and trust-based public infrastructure over tools that contribute to the criminalization of immigration.4 1 https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=451731 2 https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2025/05/audit-flags-oversight-gaps-in-apd-license-plate-reader-pilot/ 3 Ibid., https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2025/05/audit-flags-oversight-gaps-in-apd-license-plate-reader- pilot/ Date of Approval: _____________________________ Record of the vote: Attest: _____________________________________________ (Staff or board member can sign)