Topic: Supporting Privacy Protections for Immigrant Residents

Purpose

To inform the Commission about ways immigrant residents can legally safeguard their personal privacy and reduce unnecessary exposure to data collection, particularly from federal contractors engaged in immigration-related data aggregation programs.

This is framed in terms of civil rights, digital privacy, and human rights, and intended for discussion of potential city guidance, outreach, and advocacy.

Key Strategies for Residents

1. Manage Commercial Data Exposure

ICE contractors often rely on data broker records (e.g., LexisNexis, TransUnion TLOxp, Experian). Families can legally reduce their exposure by:

• Requesting opt-outs from marketing and people-search databases
• Correcting errors in consumer reports and public records
• Reducing unnecessary sharing of addresses, phone numbers, or family relationships

Benefit: Reduces the creation of detailed “profiles” used in skip-tracing.

2. Maintain Accurate Official Address Records

• Keep USPS, DMV, and state records up to date and consistent
• Avoid multiple addresses for the same individual unless legally required
• Correct any errors in property, utility, or local government records

Benefit: Reduces false matches and administrative errors.