# Apple under fire for removing ICE-tracking apps

> Lawmakers accuse Apple of censoring immigration enforcement watchdogs after pressure from Trump administration officials.
- Title: Apple under fire for removing ICE-tracking apps · Ars Technica
- Summary: Lawmakers accuse Apple of censoring immigration enforcement watchdogs after pressure from Trump administration officials. US Rep. Jamie Raskin says Apple…
- Keywords: apple, ice-tracking apps, iceblock, jamie raskin, trump administration, first amendment, app store removals, joshua aaron, immigration enforcement, censorship, technology, science
- Source: Ars Technica — https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/09/apple-worked-with-trump-admin-to-remove-ice-tracking-apps-lawmaker-says
- Published: 2026-09-29T17:29:14+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: apple, ice-tracking apps, iceblock, jamie raskin, trump administration, first amendment, app store removals, joshua aaron, immigration enforcement, censorship, technology, science
## Apple removes ICE-tracking apps
Apple removed apps like ICEBlock from its App Store, apparently after Trump administration pressure citing officer safety concerns.
## Raskin: no evidence of danger
US Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland says Apple has no evidence the apps raised safety concerns and is violating First Amendment rights.

> working with the government to violate its customers' First Amendment rights to record and report on the activities of their own government
## Dallas shooting triggered removals
Apple told Raskin in July that ICEBlock was removed after a fatal shooting at a Dallas ICE office left two detainees dead.
## Shooter had no connection to app
Shooter Joshua Jahn fired indiscriminately into the ICE facility. Raskin says there is no evidence Jahn used ICE-tracking apps.
## DHS claims unverified threat spike
The Department of Homeland Security claims ICE officers face an eight thousand percent increase in death threats but will not release data to verify it.
## Raskin disputes shooter's app use
FBI Director Kash Patel said the shooter searched for ICE-tracking apps. Raskin counters he found the address using Apple's standard maps app.

> he did not need a tracking app to locate the fixed position of a government building
## Officials bragged about removal
ICEBlock creator Joshua Aaron says Trump officials publicly bragged about getting the app removed. Apple's letter seemed to confirm government influence.
## Trump admin denies pressure
The Trump administration asked the court to dismiss Aaron's lawsuit, claiming Apple independently chose to remove the apps despite officials taking credit.

> I made the demand and Apple did so
## Court may reveal hidden talks
Aaron argues the case should proceed to discovery, which would reveal actual communications between government officials and Apple leadership.
## First Amendment right at stake
Raskin told Apple that monitoring federal immigration authorities is a core First Amendment right and the removals will not survive legal scrutiny.

> Monitoring the actions of federal immigration authorities who have been deployed to users' neighborhoods is a core First Amendment right and not a crime
## Key takeaway

US Rep. Jamie Raskin says Apple removed ICE-tracking apps without evidence they posed safety risks, violating users' First Amendment rights to record government activity.