The spouse of a man who developed a mobile app meant to alert undocumented immigrants about federal enforcement actions is expressing her dissatisfaction after being terminated from her position at the Department of Justice (DOJ) due to the app’s existence.
Carolyn Feinstein, who was employed at the DOJ’s office for U.S. Counselors in Austin, contends that her dismissal was an act of “retaliation” stemming from her husband’s project. “It feels like retaliation. I lost my job because of my husband’s actions,” she shared. “I devoted my work to serving the people of America, and now the DOJ suggests I’m endangering some of them. That’s just not accurate.”
The DOJ has asserted that the app has been utilized by undocumented immigrants to evade capture, consequently endangering the lives of federal agents. The app gained significant media attention after a CNN piece highlighted its features, which allow users to report ICE operations and warn others in proximity. Joshua Aaron, Feinstein’s husband, argues that the app merely serves as a warning system to help undocumented individuals leave risky areas. Nevertheless, there are escalating safety concerns, with reports indicating an alarming 830% increase in attacks on federal officers this year.
Activists on the left have reportedly utilized social media to inform government agents about the locations of their vehicles and the hotels they frequent.
In a related note, Tom Homan, a former border chief, mentioned in an interview that the Trump administration was looking into the matter. Feinstein recounted that her firing occurred just 24 hours after her discussion with Homan.
Addressing the controversies, Feinstein argued that the intent behind the app had been misconstrued, stating that the use of the term “illegal alien” is “not only inaccurate but offensive.” “My service to the people of America has been fair,” she added. “I treated everyone equally, making sure no one was harmed because of who they were or where they came from.”
Despite her claims of non-involvement in the app, the DOJ indicated that Feinstein was connected to the intellectual property of the application. They reiterated that the app posed risks to the safety of ICE officers, aligning with their accusations.
