Supporters say the devices allow law enforcement to quickly identify and locate people they suspect of serious crimes. AdvertisementBorder Patrol provides little information about its use of license plate readers on its website. It also says feds can access license plate readers operated by commercial vendors. Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit against the city of El Cajon for multiple violations of the license plate sharing prohibition. Pulling over grandmaAn Associated Press investigation published in November revealed that Border Patrol had hidden license plate readers in ordinary traffic safety equipment.

Source: Los Angeles Times February 28, 2026 23:45 UTC