Inspector General: Secret Service and ICE Did Not Always Adhere to Statute and Policies Governing Use of Cell-Site Simulators

The United States Secret Service and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI) did not always adhere to Federal statute and cell-site simulator (CSS) policies when using CSS during criminal investigations involving exigent circumstances. Separately, ICE HSI did not adhere to Department privacy policies and the applicable Federal privacy statute when using CSS.

Policy Directive 047-02 includes steps to ensure compliance with Constitutional protections afforded by the Fourth Amendment.3 Specifically, before using CSS, Policy Directive 047-02 requires law enforcement components obtain a search warrant supported by probable cause and issued pursuant to Rule 41 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.

Report is at: https://www.oig.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/assets/2023-03/OIG-23-17-Feb...