ICE Tracks 54,000 Immigrants via Ankle Monitors – What It Means 2026

The ICE ankle monitor program now tracks nearly 54,000 immigrants, a dramatic surge from just 17,000 early last year, according to private prison corporation The Geo Group. This expansion reflects a broader shift toward high-tech surveillance in U.S. immigration enforcement, raising questions about privacy, cost, and due process.

Understanding the Surge in ICE Ankle Monitors

The Geo Group, which owns BI Inc, the contractor running ICE’s Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP), reported the numbers in its earnings call. While the total enrollment in ISAP remained flat at about 184,000, the mix shifted heavily toward ankle monitors. This policy change, directed by ICE in June 2025, moves more immigrants from phone check-ins to continuous GPS tracking.

Ankle monitors cost ICE over $2 per day per person, compared to just $0.96 for the SmartLink app. This revenue boost for Geo Group is significant, as CEO George Zoley noted that the technology mix shift will increase earnings even if participation counts stay stable.

Why the Shift to Ankle Monitors?

ICE argues that ankle monitors provide a “high-security level of monitoring” for individuals who might otherwise be detained. However, immigration advocacy groups have filed a class-action lawsuit, alleging the “ankle monitors for all” policy imposes continuous real-time GPS surveillance without individualized justifications. The lawsuit claims this violates constitutional rights to due process and privacy.

For immigrants, the implications are profound: constant tracking, stigma, and potential technical failures that could lead to detention. For taxpayers, the cost is higher than alternative methods, yet the effectiveness in ensuring court appearances remains debated.

Cost and Revenue Comparison: Ankle Monitors vs. SmartLink

As the table shows, despite lower per-person costs, SmartLink’s larger enrollment makes it a bigger overall expense. However, the shift to ankle monitors increases Geo Group’s profit margin significantly, as they charge a premium for the hardware and monitoring services.

Key Takeaways on ICE’s Ankle Monitor Expansion

• ICE’s ankle monitor population tripled in just over a year, from 17,000 to nearly 54,000.
• The policy shift is driven by a June 2025 ICE memo directing more ISAP participants to GPS monitoring.
• Geo Group profits rise as ankle monitors cost more than double the SmartLink app per person.
• A class-action lawsuit challenges the lack of individualized assessments before imposing ankle monitors.
• Immigrants face continuous tracking, which may lead to privacy violations and increased detention risks.

Legal and Ethical Implications

The class-action lawsuit, filed in June, highlights that the “ankle monitors for all” policy lacks individualized justification. Legal experts argue that blanket surveillance without case-by-case review violates the Administrative Procedure Act and constitutional protections. The outcome could reshape how ICE uses electronic monitoring.

For immigrants, the psychological burden of constant GPS tracking is immense. Many report anxiety, difficulty maintaining employment, and fear of technical glitches leading to arrest. Advocacy groups call for more humane alternatives, such as community-based support programs.

Future Outlook for ICE Surveillance

If the trend continues, ICE may expand ankle monitor use further, especially under the current administration’s enforcement priorities. However, legal challenges and cost concerns could prompt reconsideration. The Biden administration has not publicly commented on the June memo, but the lawsuit may force policy changes.

Meanwhile, Geo Group’s financial incentives suggest they will lobby to maintain or expand the program. This creates a conflict between profit motives and immigrant rights, a critical issue for policymakers and the public.

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