ICE Ankle Monitor Tracking Surges to 54,000 Immigrants 2026

ICE ankle monitor tracking has surged to nearly 54,000 immigrants, a dramatic increase from just 17,000 early last year, according to private prison corporation The Geo Group. This rapid expansion reflects a policy shift toward high-security electronic surveillance within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's intensive supervision appearance program (ISAP).

Why ICE Ankle Monitor Numbers Tripled in 18 Months

The Geo Group, which owns BI Inc—the company running ISAP—reported the figures in its latest earnings call. While overall ISAP enrollment stayed flat at about 184,000 participants, the mix changed significantly. ICE directed agents in June 2025 to move more immigrants from phone check-ins and the SmartLink app to GPS ankle monitors, according to a memo obtained by the Washington Post.

This shift is not just a security measure; it's a revenue driver. Ankle monitors cost ICE more than $2 per day per device, compared to $0.96 per immigrant for SmartLink, a facial recognition and location tracking smartphone app. With over 127,000 immigrants still using SmartLink, the financial impact of this transition is substantial.

The Cost Breakdown: Ankle Monitors vs. SmartLink

Geo Group CEO George Zoley acknowledged on the earnings call that if this trend continues, the technology mix shift will increase revenues and earnings under the ISAP contract, even if overall participation remains stable.

Legal and Ethical Concerns Over 'Ankle Monitors for All'

A new class-action lawsuit filed against ICE in June alleges that this policy imposes continuous, real-time GPS monitoring without individualized justifications. Immigration advocacy groups argue that such blanket surveillance violates due process and privacy rights.

The lawsuit highlights that many immigrants are being subjected to constant tracking without evidence of flight risk or danger. This has sparked debate about the balance between enforcement and civil liberties, especially as the program expands.

Key Takeaways from the ICE Ankle Monitor Surge

• ICE ankle monitor tracking has grown from 17,000 to nearly 54,000 in 18 months.
• The shift is driven by a June 2025 ICE memo directing more ISAP participants to GPS monitors.
• Ankle monitors cost ICE over $2 daily per person, nearly double the SmartLink app cost.
• Geo Group profits directly from this shift, raising conflict-of-interest questions.
• A class-action lawsuit challenges the lack of individualized justification for GPS monitoring.

What This Means for Immigrants and Taxpayers

For immigrants in ISAP, the move to ankle monitors means more invasive surveillance and potential stigma. For taxpayers, the higher per-person cost could increase overall ICE spending, even if participant numbers stay flat.

The Geo Group's earnings call reveals a clear financial incentive to push ankle monitors. This raises concerns about whether surveillance decisions are driven by profit rather than public safety. As the lawsuit progresses, the outcome could reshape ICE's electronic monitoring policies.

FAQ