Fear Grows Among Immigrants Over Cameras at Home Depot and Lowe’s

Cameras at The Home Depot and Lowe’s worry immigrants

Surveillance in parking lots

Fears over shared data

The presence of smart cameras in the parking lots of The Home Depot and Lowe’s is generating concern among customers and civil rights organizations across the United States.

Why it matters: The devices record license plates and vehicle movements in areas where day laborers and immigrants frequently gather.

Privacy advocacy groups warn about the possible use of that information by immigration authorities.

Customers at stores such as Home Depot and Lowe’s have recently noticed cameras installed throughout parking lots.

Flock cameras monitor Home Depot parking lots

Home Depot & Lowe’s could be forced to remove anti-theft devices under privacy law amid ‘tracking’ fears https://t.co/aJKgsii32e

— Andro (@AndroOxinu) May 15, 2026

The devices are mounted on poles equipped with solar panels and collect information about vehicles and individuals.

The cameras are known as Flock cameras and operate similarly to systems used by police departments.

Their technology allows them to capture vehicle license plates and track movement patterns.

According to reports published by 404 Media, the cameras had been installed in Home Depot and Lowe’s parking lots since at least August of last year.

The installation of these systems has caused unease among consumers and activists.

Some believe this type of surveillance creates a constant sense of monitoring in commercial spaces.

Concern is especially growing among immigrants and day laborers who frequently visit these stores.

Home Depot and Lowe’s acknowledge cooperation with authorities

And both allowed installation and use of flock cameras @HomeDepot @Lowes should be sued in to oblivion for violating citizens 4th and 5th amendment rights. pic.twitter.com/dAyV8bFuD9

— stormchasevideo (@stormchasevideo) May 17, 2026

Home Depot acknowledges on its website that it cooperates with state and local authorities, according to Univision.

The company addresses the topic in a section titled “Immigration Activity in Our Parking Lots.”

That section relates to operations conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Home Depot states that it does not share camera information with federal agencies.

However, the company does admit to cooperating with state and local authorities.

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Around these stores, day laborers frequently gather to offer construction and remodeling services.

Workers involved in moving services and other temporary jobs are also commonly seen in these locations.

Lowe’s also includes information related to these cameras in its privacy and security policy.

The company states that it may share recordings and data with state and local authorities.

These disclosures have raised questions among consumers concerned about the ultimate destination of the collected information.

Activists fear indirect access to data

Although Home Depot claims it does not share information with federal agencies, some critics remain concerned.

Activists argue that local authorities could later provide that data to other government entities.

The main concern centers on the possibility that immigration agencies could gain indirect access to the information collected.

Flock cameras are already being used in multiple cities across the United States.

These systems are part of a growing trend of automated surveillance and vehicle recognition technology.

Civil rights organizations also question the constant collection of data in spaces frequently visited by immigrant workers.

The concern is not limited to privacy alone.

There is also growing anxiety about how those records could potentially be used in investigations or immigration enforcement operations.

The presence of these cameras continues to fuel debate among companies, consumers, and civil rights advocates.