Trump aide stephen miller owns stock in company tied to immigration enforcement

Stephen Miller, a top aide to President Donald Trump, owns a large amount of stock in Palantir Technologies, a company that works closely with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). According to recent financial reports, Miller holds between $100,000 and $250,000 in Palantir shares through a brokerage account for one of his children.

This raises concerns about a possible conflict of interest, as Miller helps shape Trump’s strict immigration policies. Palantir, a tech firm, has major contracts with ICE to track and monitor undocumented immigrants, earning over $370 million from government deals during Trump’s presidency. The company is also helping build a massive database of American citizens’ information, which some worry could lead to increased surveillance.

Miller’s role in pushing for tougher immigration enforcement, like aiming for 3,000 daily arrests, makes his financial stake in Palantir troubling to critics. The White House says Miller has promised to step back from decisions that could affect his stock holdings, and a Homeland Security spokesperson called the concerns “silly.”

Still, ethics experts argue that Miller’s investment could influence his work, especially since Palantir stands to gain from Trump’s immigration plans. Eleven other Trump administration officials also own Palantir stock, though Miller’s stake is the largest. This situation highlights ongoing worries about conflicts of interest in the Trump administration, as Miller’s push for aggressive immigration policies could benefit a company in which he has a financial interest.