ICE Ankle Monitor Tracking: 54,000 Immigrants Under GPS 2026

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is now tracking nearly 54,000 immigrants through GPS-enabled ankle monitors, a dramatic increase from just 17,000 early last year. This surge in electronic surveillance reflects a policy shift toward high-security monitoring, raising questions about cost, privacy, and due process.

Why ICE Expanded Ankle Monitor Use

According to a memo obtained by the Washington Post, ICE directed agents in June 2025 to move more immigrants enrolled in its intensive supervision appearance program (ISAP) to ankle monitors. The policy, dubbed “ankle monitors for all” by critics, replaces less intrusive methods like phone check-ins with continuous real-time GPS tracking.

The Geo Group, the private prison corporation that runs ISAP through its subsidiary BI Inc, reported the numbers in its earnings call. While the overall ISAP enrollment stayed flat at about 184,000, the mix shifted heavily toward ankle monitors, which are more expensive and generate higher revenue for the company.

Cost Comparison: Ankle Monitors vs. SmartLink App

The financial implications are significant. ICE pays over $2 per day for each ankle monitor, while the SmartLink facial recognition app costs only $0.96 per immigrant. With more than 127,000 immigrants using SmartLink, the shift has boosted Geo Group’s revenues even without increasing total participants.

Legal and Privacy Concerns

A new class-action lawsuit filed against ICE in June alleges that the ankle monitor policy imposes continuous surveillance without individualized justifications. Immigration advocacy groups argue this violates due process and privacy rights, subjecting individuals to constant tracking without clear cause.

Geo Group CEO George Zoley acknowledged on the earnings call that if the trend continues, “the technology and case management mix shift will continue to increase revenues and earnings generated under the ISAP contract.” This raises ethical questions about profit motives driving surveillance expansion.

Key Takeaways

• ICE ankle monitor usage tripled from 17,000 to nearly 54,000 in about 18 months.
• The policy shift increases costs for taxpayers and profits for Geo Group.
• Legal challenges argue the blanket approach lacks individualized risk assessment.
• SmartLink app remains a cheaper alternative but is being deprioritized.
• Overall ISAP enrollment is stable, but the surveillance intensity has risen sharply.

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