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Immigration and Customs Enforcement is using spyware tools that can intercept encrypted messages as part of the agency's efforts to disrupt fentanyl traffickers, according to a letter sent last week by the agency's acting director, Todd Lyons.
His letter, dated April 1, was a belated response to an October inquiry from three Democratic members of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform expressing concern about the agency's potential use of the spyware Graphite, which was created by an Israeli company, Paragon Solutions.ICE has ramped up its use of surveillance technologies to find people in the U.S. without authorization as part of the Trump administration's mass deportation campaign. Those tools have also been used extensively. The revelation also comes shortly before Congress is set to debate whether to reauthorize a surveillance law, and whether to close a legal loophole that allows the federal government Lyons' letter, which was reviewed by NPR, said ICE's Homeland Security Investigations is using various tools as part of its mission to disrupt and dismantle foreign terrorist organizations"particularly those involved in the trafficking of fentanyl." Lyons wrote"in response to the unprecedented lethality of fentanyl and the exploitation of digital platforms by transnational criminal organizations" he approved HSI's"use of cutting-edge technological tools that address the specific challenges posed by the Foreign Terrorist Organizations' thriving exploitation of encrypted communication platforms." His letter, dated April 1, was a belated response to an October inquiry from three Democratic members of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform expressing concern about the agency's potential use of the spyware Graphite, which was created by an Israeli company, Paragon Solutions. The letter is the first time ICE has indicated it is using Graphite. The agency initially signed a $2 million contract with Paragon Solutions for an unspecified software product at the end of the Biden administration. But the contract was swiftly paused until it was revived by the Trump administration last fall. Graphite uses what is known as"zero click" technology so that it can gain access to encrypted messages on a targeted device even if the user never clicks on a link.various countries were targeted with Graphite. Researchers at The Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy laterspecific journalists and humanitarian aid providers in Italy whose devices were infected with Graphite through WhatsApp messages. Paragon ended its contract with Italian government agenciesto find people in the U.S. without authorization as part of the Trump administration's mass deportation campaign. Those tools have also been used extensively. The revelation also comes shortly before Congress is set to debate whether to reauthorize a surveillance law, and whether to close a legal loophole that allows the federal government Rep. Summer Lee, D-Pa., one of the authors of the October letter asking for answers about ICE's use of spyware, told NPR in a statement,"The response I received from ICE makes one thing clear. They are moving forward with invasive spyware technology inside the United States." Lee expressed disappointment that Lyons did not provide substantive answers to her questions, including who could be targeted with the technology and the legal basis for using it within the United States. "The people most at risk, including immigrants, Black and brown communities, journalists, organizers, and anyone speaking out against government abuse, deserve more than secrecy and deflection from an agency with a long record of overreach and abuse," Lee's statement said. Lyons' letter said any use of the tool"will comply with constitutional requirements" and will be coordinated with the ICE Office of the Principal Legal Advisor.then-President Joe Biden signed in 2023 that bars the use of commercial spyware that poses a national security risk to the United States or poses a risk to be misused by foreign governments. Lyons wrote in his letter that in accordance with the 2023 executive order, he had"certified that HSI's operational use of the specific tool does not pose significant security or counterintelligence risks, or significant risks of improper use by a foreign government or foreign person."in late 2024, which merged with the cybersecurity company REDLattice. Neither AE Partners or REDLattice returned NPR's request for comment. Lyons' response alarmed civil liberties advocates who worry about the potential for ICE to abuse the tool and use it against targets beyond drug traffickers and terrorists. "The biggest concern now is that Lyons' response doesn't rule out ICE using an administrative subpoena to deploy this malware against people living in the United States as part of their ideological battle against constitutionally protected protest," said Cooper Quintin, senior staff technologist at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, which advocates for digital privacy. "An extremely invasive surveillance capability such as this should require the strongest judicial oversight and confirmation that such intrusion is necessary and proportionate response to the crime being investigated," Quintin said. Maria Villegas Bravo, a lawyer with the nonprofit Electronic Privacy Information Center, said the U.S. does not have sufficient regulations in place"to stop the U.S. government from abusing Constitutional and human rights in the process of using this technology." In response to an NPR inquiry to the Department of Homeland Security about its use of Graphite and the concerns raised, a DHS official who did not identify themselves wrote,"DHS is a law enforcement agency. ICE is no different. Employing various forms of technology in support of investigations and law enforcement activities aids in the arrest of criminal gang members, child sex offenders, murderers, drug dealers, identity thieves and more, all while respecting civil liberties and privacy interests." Villegas Bravo said that by paying for Graphite, the U.S. is helping to bolster the market for technologies that are being exploited by foreign governments to undermine the privacy of messaging applications and carry out invasive surveillance of phones. "This is a grave national security risk because it weakens American critical infrastructure, including our telecommunications networks," Villegas Bravo said.Portions of the Exide Technologies, lead-acid battery recycling plant located in Vernon are wrapped in scaffolding and white plastic in 2020.A new study is backing up what many residents in the Vernon area have already feared: the Exide cleanup is missing aExide Technologies operated the 15-acre smelting facility between 1922 and 2015. It processed thousands of batteries a day, releasing an estimated 3,500 tons of lead over its final decades.Over two thirds of samples from remediated homes — meaning ones that were supposed to be cleaned up — still had more lead than allowed by state regulations. Homes outside the state’s defined cleanup area, which was a 1.7-mile radius from Exide’s former location, also had high lead levels.East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice, which is a partner on the study, is calling for the state to commit to re-testing every home for lead, more soil removal as needed, and expanded testing. New research is backing up what many residents in the Vernon area have already feared: the Exide cleanup is missing aexcessive lead in the area 11 years after the battery plant closed, as well as evidence that the remediation area may need to be expanded. Lead is a toxic metal that can cause short- and long-term health effects, including neurological and reproductive changes. Exposure is especially dangerous for children and pregnant people. A brief history of the Exide cleanupauto batteries a year, releasing an estimated 3,500 tons of lead into the surrounding communities of Maywood, East Los Angeles, Commerce, Bell and Huntington Park. After the federal government shuttered the plant over hazardous waste violations, California declared it an environmental disaster. It has since spent more thanso far cleaning up the site and residential homes. The remediation zone was set at a 1.7-mile radius around the facility.investigationsJill Johnston, an associate professor of environmental and occupational health at UC Irvine and lead author, said this is the firstEast Yard Communities for Environmental JusticeThe study also looked at neighborhoods outside the state’s defined cleanup area. Nearly 90% of those sampled homes were beyond acceptable levels. Seven in 10 homes had at least one sample above 200 ppm, according to the The study suggests two things for remediated homes — either contaminated soil wasn’t fully removed, and/or it was recontaminated by historically present lead, like that in paint or freeway exhaust particles. “ We don’t think that if you adequately remove the soil from the home, that we should be seeing this much recontamination just from lead paint that’s on the exterior of the house,” Johnston said. Another author on the study, East Yard’s mark! Lopez, an Eastside community organizer, said the research helps affected residents, many of whom are predominantly Latino, fight against environmental racism. “ We’re bringing the personal narrative, the collective experience, peer review data to the table," he said."It’s an extra layer of credibility to be able to really push the agency to do right, to push the state to do right by our communities.” LAist has reached out to the California Department of Toxic Substances Control for comment, but did not hear back in time for publication. We’ll update this story once it’s received.You can get involved by joining the state’s public meetings. These happen every couple of months, usually in a hybrid format. You can learn more about the meetings onExide Technical Advisory Committee“The findings underscore the importance of continued evaluation of cleanup effectiveness, consideration of post-remediation testing and ongoing efforts to reduce exposure,” the department added.The study makes multiple policy change suggestions — some of which have already been implemented, such as third-party monitoring of cleanup crews. East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice is calling for expanded remediation beyond the 1.7-mile boundary. They also want a commitment to resampling every cleaned up home, and if needed, correcting lead problems. He wants those results to be shared with communities in a timely manner. As of 2025, Johnston said all new homes are getting cleaned and are getting retested. For homes cleaned prior to that, a sample of homes are being rechecked.Published April 7, 2026 2:45 PMThere’s a new all-ages play touring in Los Angeles about the life of Dolores Huerta and other under-told stories of the farmworker labor movement.Center Theater Group commissioned the play from Eliana Pipes in March 2025. “There's this perception that farm work was only done by men,” Pipes said. “There were women on the fields, there were women on the picket lines, and there were women in leadership in the United Farm Workers movement.”in a statement that Chavez had coerced her into sex on one occasion and forced her to have sex on another. She said she got pregnant each time and hid the pregnancies. Pipes revised the play, but Chavez remains a character.In mid-March, the cast and crew behind a new play about the life of labor leader Dolores Huerta and the rise of the farmworker movement were preparing for their debut.into United Farm Workers co-founder Cesar Chavez detailing allegations that he sexually abused and raped girls and women. Huerta wrotethat Chavez had coerced her into sex on one occasion and forced her to have sex on another. She said she got pregnant each time and hid the pregnancies. “Hearing the news and reading it, I was in absolute tears,” said director Sara Guerrero. “I didn't know what to expect.”The answer Guerrero and the rest of the cast and crew landed on reflects a struggle for many since the allegations against Chavez were published. How do you square the gains of a movement that humanized and improved the lives of farmworkers — led by a man who inspired generations of activists — with the harm done by that same leader?The origin of '¡Sí Se Puede!' Today, Center Theatre Group is most known for the shows hosted at its flagship downtown L.A. theaters and in Culver City, but decades ago, the organization toured. “We have to exist outside of the institutions, otherwise we’re not part of the global citizenship,” said Jesus Reyes, director of learning and community partnerships. “ There's so many young people and older people who have lost touch with art … So it's also our responsibility to put it out there.” Director Sara Guerrero and Playwright Eliana Pipes stand in front of the set for "¡Sí Se Puede!." Both have longstanding ties to L.A.'s theatre community.Center Theatre Group commissioned an all-ages play about Huerta from writer Eliana Pipes in March 2025 to kickstart a pilot program that would bring shows to lesser-known regional venues. Pipes devoured documentaries, books and conducted her own interviews with people connected to the farmworker movement. “There's this perception that farm work was only done by men,” Pipes said. “But… there were women on the fields, there were women on the picket lines, and there were women in leadership in the United Farm Workers movement.”On the day the New York Times' investigation published, Guerrero got together with Pipes and others from Center Theatre Group to discuss how to move forward. “ What really stood out to us was that we had always intended to elevate the story and call to action of Dolores Huerta,” Guerrero said. The United Farm Workers' grape boycotts depicted in the play are credited with helping the union win contracts with growers and eliminate the use of certain pesticides.The decision: Chavez would remain a minor character — albeit with fewer lines. Pipes re-typed the play and drove to the final rehearsal at East Los Angeles College. She pulled over once to cry.“There were some tears, there was a lot of laughter and celebration, and I think it felt really healing for everybody to get to celebrate her, especially in this moment,” Pipes said.the 1965 Delano Grape Strike The language of the play — English, Spanish and Tagalog — and the production design reflect the culture of the farmworker movement, incorporating a style of skits performed for farmworkers from the backs of flatbed trucks.was not just entertainment, but it was also an organizing tool,” Pipes said. “The actors that they put on were meant to educate farm workers on the fields about their rights and incentivize them to join the strike.” This El Teatro Campesino workbook belonged to Pipes’ grandmother who met Huerta through United Farm Workers meetings hosted at Santa Monica’s Unitarian Universalist Community Church.The style of El Teatro Campesino is big and theatrical. The politician character's devil mask is also a nod to the archetypes often found in the style's skits. Pipes was also tasked with translating the complexities of the farmworker movement into a narrative appropriate for all ages. Sometimes that meant taking a few creative liberties with the character’s personal traits, like swapping Itliong’s trademark cigar for a lollipop. More difficult was acknowledging the sometimes violent backlash the farmworkers faced. For example, a police attack on United Farm Worker demonstrators“I think sometimes TYA — theater for young audiences — and for families has a reputation for being sort of toothless or apolitical,” Pipes said. “This piece does have something to say and it says it loud and proud. And even though it's in an age appropriate way, we never shy away from acknowledging the “¡Sí Se Puede!" opens by asking the audience to think about the origin of their food before diving into the history of farm work in California. Juan De La Cruz plays several roles in the show, including a grape harvester.The"capitalist pig" is another archetype of El Teatro Campesino. Sol Joun plays the grower and several other roles in"¡Sí Se Puede!"In one scene, a TV broadcaster interviews Huerta and Chavez at the terminus of the 1966 farmworker march from Delano to Sacramento. “ I'm here at the State Capitol with Cesar Chavez and his secretary, Dolores Huerta — could you grab me a cup of coffee sweetheart?” the broadcaster asks. When Huerta asserts herself as a co-founder of the union, the broadcaster calls her Chavez’s “sidekick.” “It's so hard not to be heard,” Huerta’s character reflects after the interview ends. “Even in my own movement, some of the campesinos can't stand listening to women and I try to pick my battles, but God, sometimes it feels like I'm battling a fight on two fronts.”Center Theatre Group retains the right to produce the play in the greater Los Angeles area, but the play is available for anyone to produce elsewhere. “ I would love to see it across the country, and particularly in places that have a long history with the farm workers movement, like Arizona, Texas,” Pipes said. “But I would love this play in every city, in every state.” At the end of the show, the actors asked everyone in the audience to close their eyes and think about their personal answer to "What is the change you want to make in the world?" The show’s initial 10-show run included libraries, recreation centers, schools and Boyle Heights City Hall.Mom Noelle said her great-grandfather worked in the orange groves. “It's something that's important to me and my own family history,” she said. “ the desire for my kids to understand the fights that have happened before them and that will continue to happen.” Izel Toxqui , 8, said she felt inspired after watching the show. Her 4-year-old sister Ameli said she liked how Huerta helped people get food when they were hungry. “Ese parte me gusta que cuando ella estaba luchando por sus derechos,” she added, saying she liked that Huerta fought for their rights.Ruffy Landayan came to support friends in the cast, but left with a deeper understanding of the farm worker movement he “barely” learned about as a San Bernardino high school student. “ about history, but it also felt very current because it is really current,” Landayan said. “That's when I realized the power of theater.”Raul Cardona has worked with El Teatro Campesino since the 2000s and is a community organizer in East L.A. “ There's a place for everyone in the revolution,” Cardona said. “If you don't belong to an organization, find one that you stand with and become part of it. The work needs to be done and it's not gonna do itself.”If you're enjoying this article, you'll love our daily newsletter, The LA Report. Each weekday, catch up on the 5 most pressing stories to start your morning in 3 minutes or less.Published April 7, 2026 2:05 PM UCLA women's basketball head coach Cori Close celebrates after cutting the net down after the victory against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the National Championship of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament.The UCLA Bruins women's basketball team will celebrate its 2026 national championship victory at a free event on Wednesday night at Pauley Pavilion.The Bruins toppled the University of South Carolina Gamecocks 79-51 on Sunday, capturing the program's first national championship in the NCAA era.Doors at Pauley will open at 5 p.m. and the celebration will start at 6 p.m. UCLA says fans will need to enter through the north side of Pauley. Fans who arrive early enough will get a special championship poster. Attendees will also be able to take pictures with the championship trophy.Published April 7, 2026 1:30 PM Paul Duncan, Long Beach's homeless services bureau manager, speaking at the city's Homeless Services Advisory Committee on Wednesday, April 1.Long Beach is inching closer to a deadline when they’ll have to kick hundreds of formerly homeless people off of a federal housing assistance program. On Wednesday, a top homelessness official estimated 375 households will lose their benefits as of October, leaving themThe deadline is looming after Congress decided against authorizing new funding for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Emergency Housing Voucher program.The pandemic-era program, launched in 2021, distributed about 70,000 Emergency Housing Vouchers — or EHVs — across the country. Long Beach received 582, and originally expected them to run through 2030, but local officials say rising rent costs drained the funding more quickly than anticipated.Long Beach is inching closer to a deadline when they’ll have to kick hundreds of formerly homeless people off of a federal housing assistance program. On Wednesday, a top homelessness official estimated 375 households will lose their benefits as of October, leaving them The deadline is looming after Congress decided against authorizing new funding for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Emergency Housing Voucher program. The pandemic-era program, launched in 2021, distributed about 70,000 Emergency Housing Vouchers — or EHVs — across the country. Long Beach received 582, and originally expected them to run through 2030, but local officials say rising rent costs drained the funding more quickly than anticipated. When funding runs dry, Long Beach will be forced to end EHVs for the 500 local households that still rely on them, according to Homeless Services Bureau Manager Paul Duncan, who gave an update on the program Wednesday at the city’s Homeless Services Advisory Committee meeting. Duncan said 125 households will be given a new type of HUD voucher meant to ease the shock of losing EHVs, but that leaves 375 in the lurch.“That’s a bigger question at this moment that we have not gotten to,” Duncan said. For now, all EHV recipients have been moved to the top of the waiting list for Housing Choice Voucher, commonly called Section 8, but there’s no guarantee they’ll receive one before the deadline.Wiley is a single mother who has been using an Emergency Housing Voucher since January 2023. She’s studying at LBCC and has an internship to become a radiology technologist in Long Beach on Wednesday, April 2, 2026.Wiley, who declined to give her last name out of fear that speaking with the media could hurt her chances of receiving a new voucher, said her EHV has been instrumental in keeping her in stable housing. She was laid off from her health care job shortly after getting her voucher. The rental assistance she receives — 30% of her $2,000 rent — helped her save enough money to sign up for classes at Long Beach City College. She’s nearing the end of an internship to become a radiology technologist, a job that specializes in conducting X-Rays on patients. For months, while juggling a full class load and a 24-hour-per-week internship, Wiley has been emailing “all kinds of city, state federal representatives” hoping to get a straight answer on what will happen when funding runs out for EHVs.
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