Activists are calling for the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) to immediately end its contract with Palantir, a data mining company that has ties to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The call comes after it was revealed that Palantir has been receiving millions of dollars from New York City’s public hospitals.
Palantir, a Silicon Valley-based company, has been working with ICE since 2011, providing them with software and data analytics tools to aid in their immigration enforcement efforts. This has sparked outrage among immigrant rights activists who have been fighting against the cruel and inhumane practices of ICE.
The recent revelation of Palantir’s contract with the HHC has only added fuel to the fire. The HHC, which operates public hospitals and clinics throughout New York City, has been paying Palantir millions of dollars for its software and services. This has raised concerns among activists about the ethical implications of using taxpayer money to fund a company that is known for its involvement in human rights violations.
Palantir’s software has been accused of aiding ICE in tracking and targeting undocumented immigrants. The company’s data mining techniques have been used to identify individuals who may be in the country illegally, leading to their arrest and detention. This has resulted in the separation of families and the detention of innocent individuals who are seeking a better life in the United States.
The HHC’s contract with Palantir is not only unethical, but it also goes against the values of the city of New York. The city is known for its diversity and its commitment to protecting the rights of all its residents, regardless of their immigration status. By continuing to work with Palantir, the HHC is going against these values and contributing to the ongoing human rights abuses perpetuated by ICE.
Activists are now urging the HHC to sever ties with Palantir and find alternative software and data analytics services that align with their values. They argue that the HHC has a moral obligation to use taxpayer money in an ethical and responsible manner, and funding a company that supports the inhumane practices of ICE goes against that obligation.
Moreover, the HHC’s contract with Palantir has also raised concerns about patient privacy. Palantir’s software has been accused of collecting and sharing sensitive information about patients, including their immigration status. This not only goes against medical ethics, but it also puts vulnerable communities at risk. Undocumented immigrants may be afraid to seek medical treatment for fear of their information being shared with ICE, further compromising their health and well-being.
In addition to activists, several elected officials have also joined the call to cut ties with Palantir. New York City Council members such as Brad Lander and Carlina Rivera have expressed their outrage and demanded that the HHC end its contract with the data mining company. They argue that the HHC’s mission is to provide quality healthcare to all New Yorkers, regardless of their immigration status, and funding a company like Palantir goes against that mission.
It is time for the HHC to step up and do the right thing. By continuing to work with Palantir, the HHC is not only supporting the inhumane practices of ICE, but it is also betraying the trust of the communities it serves. The city of New York is known for its progressive values and its commitment to social justice, and the HHC must reflect these values in its actions.
I urge the HHC to listen to the voices of activists, elected officials, and concerned citizens and end its contract with Palantir immediately. It is time to stand in solidarity with immigrant communities and take a stand against the cruel and unjust practices of ICE. Let’s make New York City a place where everyone is welcome and protected, regardless of their immigration status.
