H.R. 9314: DHS Surveillance Technology Moratorium Act Overview and Impact

Representative Daniel S. Goldman introduced H.R. 9314, the DHS Surveillance Technology Moratorium Act of 2026, which would temporarily freeze federal funding for new or renewed Department of Homeland Security (DHS) surveillance and data analytics contracts used for immigration enforcement until audits and public reports are completed. The bill, received on June 15, 2026, currently has six cosponsors.

Which companies could be affected by the DHS surveillance freeze?

Several major technology and consulting firms could see impacts if the bill passes, according to the provided text. Palantir (PLTR) is identified as the most directly tied company because the legislation specifically targets integrated data aggregation and predictive analytics platforms.

Other firms that may be affected include Axon (AXON), which provides AI-related and digital evidence tools, and Accenture (ACN), which manages government data and analytics services. IBM could also face impacts to its enterprise software and analytics work involving government data platforms.

The moratorium would prevent DHS from using federal funds to award new contracts, renew existing ones, exercise contract options, or modify covered agreements. This restriction applies to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Did You Know? H.R. 9314 was officially received on June 15, 2026, and has gained the support of six cosponsors.

What technologies does H.R. 9314 cover?

The bill targets tools used to collect, analyze, store, or predict personal information to support immigration enforcement. According to the text, covered technologies include facial recognition, social media monitoring, and cellphone location tracking.

The legislation also covers geolocation analytics, predictive analytics, AI-assisted targeting, and integrated data aggregation platforms. While the bill freezes new funding, it does not require DHS to immediately shut down systems already in place when the law takes effect.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the focus on “integrated data aggregation” creates a specific risk for firms like Palantir, as the bill seeks to uncover exactly how disparate data sources are combined for enforcement. The requirement for public disclosure of contractors and data sources may shift the competitive landscape for federal tech procurement.

How will the moratorium be lifted?

The freeze remains in place until DHS completes a multi-step review process. Within 180 days of enactment, the DHS Inspector General must audit all covered technologies, examining data sources, the collection of U.S. citizen data, and the reliability of predictive systems.

Protestors host an "unwelcome party" for Palantir who allegedly uses surveillance data to help ICE

Following the audit, DHS has 60 days to publish an unclassified public report. This report must list all covered technologies, the contractors providing them, and assessments of their impact on privacy and civil liberties.

The moratorium ends only after the audit is finished, the public report is published, and 90 days have passed since DHS sent Congress a report on its internal safeguards and legal authorities. Once lifted, DHS must submit annual public reports on its technologies and contracts.

Are there any exceptions to the funding freeze?

The Secretary of Homeland Security may waive the moratorium on a case-by-case basis. According to the bill, waivers are permitted if a contract is certified as necessary to address a specific national security threat or an imminent act of violence and identifiable threat to public safety.

Any such waiver requires a detailed written explanation sent to Congress within seven days. Redactions in public reporting are only permitted for specific national security harms and require Inspector General review.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does H.R. 9314 require the immediate shutdown of existing surveillance tools?
No. The bill does not require DHS to immediately stop using technologies or shut down contracts already in place when the law becomes effective.

What is the timeline for the required DHS audit?
The DHS Inspector General, working with the Privacy Office and Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, must complete the audit and review within 180 days of the bill’s enactment.

Who is the primary sponsor of this legislation?
The bill was proposed by Representative Daniel S. Goldman.

How might increased transparency in government surveillance contracts affect the private tech sector?