ICE Ankle Monitor Tracking Surges to 54,000 Immigrants 2026

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is now tracking nearly 54,000 immigrants through GPS-enabled ankle monitors, a sharp rise from just 17,000 early last year, according to private prison corporation The Geo Group. This surge reflects a strategic shift toward high-security electronic surveillance within ICE's intensive supervision appearance program (ISAP).

Why ICE Is Expanding Ankle Monitor Use

ICE directed agents in June 2025 to move more immigrants enrolled in ISAP to ankle monitors, according to a memo obtained by the Washington Post. The policy, dubbed “ankle monitors for all” by advocacy groups, replaces less intensive methods like phone check-ins with continuous real-time GPS tracking.

The Geo Group, which owns BI Inc—the company running ISAP—reported the numbers in its earnings call on Thursday. While overall ISAP enrollment stayed flat at about 184,000, the mix shifted dramatically toward ankle monitors, boosting revenues for the company.

Cost and Revenue Implications

Ankle monitors cost ICE more than other surveillance technologies. ICE pays Geo Group a little over $2 per day per monitor, while the SmartLink app—a facial recognition and location tracking smartphone app—costs about $0.96 per enrolled immigrant. With over 127,000 immigrants using SmartLink, the financial impact is significant.

“If this trend continues, the technology and case management mix shift will continue to increase revenues and earnings generated under the ISAP contract even if overall participation counts remain relatively stable,” said George Zoley, Geo Group chairman and CEO, on the earnings call.

Legal and Privacy Concerns

A new class-action lawsuit filed against ICE in June alleges that the ankle monitor policy “imposes continuous, real-time GPS monitoring without individualized justifications.” Immigration advocacy groups argue that this blanket approach violates due process and privacy rights, subjecting individuals to constant surveillance without proper cause.

Comparison of ICE Surveillance Methods

Key Takeaways

• Ankle monitor tracking has tripled from 17,000 to nearly 54,000 immigrants in about 18 months.
• ICE's shift to ankle monitors increases Geo Group's revenue despite flat overall ISAP enrollment.
• Legal challenges argue the policy lacks individualized justification, raising privacy and due process concerns.
• Costs per monitor are double that of smartphone-based tracking, impacting taxpayer dollars.
• The trend suggests a broader move toward high-tech surveillance in immigration enforcement.

FAQ

As ICE continues to expand ankle monitor tracking, the debate over surveillance, cost, and civil liberties intensifies. Stakeholders and policymakers must weigh security benefits against the financial and human rights implications.

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