ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Thanedar questions ICE’s $12M Edge Ops contract
The lawmaker cited concerns over transparency and oversight in the sole-source surveillance deal.
-
Malvika Choudhary - Fri, 22, May 2026
- 16:02 EDT
- 25
The event featured remarks from members of Congress including Rep. Danny K. Davis, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Rep. Shri Thanedar, alongside interfaith prayers, award presentations and speeches from honorees. / AMEC
Congressman Shri Thanedar intensified criticism over the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) awarded a multimillion-dollar surveillance contract to a little-known company, alleging the deal raises concerns about fraud, transparency, and federal oversight.
In a post on X, Thanedar wrote, “After giving a sweetheart deal to a Republican donor, ICE is now awarding contracts to a company that reeks of fraud.”
Also Read: Thanedar backs constitutional amendment to curb presidential pardon powers
In a May 20 letter Thanedar and Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Bennie Thompson wrote to ICE Acting Director David J. Ventrella, on concerns about a reported $12.2 million sole-source contract awarded to Edge Ops LLC for analytical support tied to counterterrorism operations under an AI-powered surveillance initiative known as “Project SAFE HAVEN.”
After giving a sweetheart deal to a Republican donor, ICE is now awarding contracts to a company that reeks of fraud. pic.twitter.com/nAJs7SBpkB
— Congressman Shri Thanedar (@RepShriThanedar) May 22, 2026
According to the lawmakers, the contract was issued without competitive bidding and was intended to support ICE operations targeting transnational criminal organizations and foreign terrorist organizations.
According to Thanedar, Edge Ops has not previously worked for the Federal government.
“Edge Ops was first incorporated in 2014 to ‘house and to hold a new sailboat.’ Somehow during the last decade, Edge Ops transitioned from storing a sailboat to selling an AI-driven surveillance tool,” he said.
“Furthermore, according to the government website that tracks Federal government spending, Edge Ops has not received any contracts other than the $12 million contract from ICE,” Thanedar added.
The scrutiny follows reporting by investigative outlet The Lever, which alleged that Edge Ops promoted misleading information on its website, including references to “phantom employees and clients.” The report further claimed the company removed portions of its website after details of the ICE contract became public.
According to The Lever, archived versions of the company’s website included disputed claims about clients and executives, while the firm had no apparent history of federal contracting before receiving the ICE award.
The lawmakers have requested documents and explanations from ICE regarding the procurement process, the justification for awarding a sole-source contract, and the agency’s vetting of Edge Ops before approving the deal.
Discover more at New India Abroad.
Related
.JPG)
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
Video
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login