ICE and CBP Use Free Walkie-Talkie App Zello to Power Operations

An investigation revealed ICE and CBP officers were coordinating enforcement operations using Zello, a free consumer walkie-talkie app previously linked to January 6 coordination, bypassing secure government communications systems. The use of an unsecured commercial app for sensitive law enforcement operations raises serious security and accountability concerns: communications on Zello are not subject to federal records retention requirements, cannot be easily audited, and are vulnerable to interception.

The choice of an app associated with the January 6 insurrection for immigration enforcement operations was noted as symbolically significant. Beyond the security risks, the use of unmonitored communications channels enables officers to coordinate actions outside the oversight frameworks designed to prevent abuse, creating a shadow communications infrastructure that is invisible to inspectors general, congressional oversight, and Freedom of Information Act requests.