The New York Times published on October 30 an interview by Ross Douthat with Shyam Sankar, Palantir’s chief technology officer. The immigration segment centers on Palantir’s work with ICE. Sankar says that ICE enforcement, paired with oversight, strengthens democracy rather than undermines it. Douthat: “From the point of view of someone who is a skeptic of Palantir, you are putting a lot of power into the hands of people that some don’t trust.”

Palantir began working with ICE in 2011 to integrate data across DHS, not to collect new information. The software allows agents to see connections among existing records on border encounters and benefits applications. He defends this as improving efficiency, not expanding surveillance. Sankar: “Why are we using the human to search 20 different systems? That’s clearly a problem that technology can do.” Douthat responds: “Does that include a person’s past address?”

Sankar says that Palantir partners only with democratic allies and avoids projects without privacy safeguards, such as the U.K.’s proposed digital ID. He argues that in the U.S., enforcement policies reflect democratic will and Palantir’s job is to ensure those policies are carried out lawfully and transparently. Sankar: “What ICE is doing was voted on at the ballot box. That seems like a functioning democracy….the lack of enforcement breeds nihilism, and that’s not tenable.” Douthat: “So Palantir is more comfortable with mass deportations in a world where Donald Trump campaigned on them and won?”

Sankar’s family fled violence in Nigeria. He says that immigration strengthens America when it is legal and includes assimilation.  Sankar: “We came here legally. We believe in America… but legal immigration. There are rules to follow.” Douthat: “Do you see any tension between your own personal narrative as an immigrant and the fact that Palantir is working to effectuate mass deportations?”