A plan by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to use facial recognition technology to scan the faces of migrant children sparked controversy. 

Part of a larger effort to use AI to improve border security, the plan involves collecting and analysing facial recognition data from migrant children as young as 14 years old to train an AI system to identify and track individuals, including migrants, at the border. 

Critics argue that the plan raises serious concerns about privacy, civil liberties, and the potential for bias in the AI system, specifically:

• The use of facial recognition technology on children, who may not fully understand the implications of the technology

• The potential for the AI system to be biased against certain racial or ethnic groups

• The lack of transparency and oversight in the collection and use of the facial recognition data

• The potential for the data to be used for purposes beyond border security, such as surveillance or law enforcement.

Civil liberties groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), spoke out against the plan, arguing that it is an invasion of privacy and a threat to the rights of migrant children. The plan has also been criticised by lawmakers and human rights organisations.

The DHS defended the plan, arguing that it is necessary to improve border security and prevent human trafficking. 

However, the controversy surrounding the plan highlighted the need for greater transparency and oversight in the use of facial recognition, particularly when it involves vulnerable populations such as migrant children.