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

The ICE ankle monitor tracking program has expanded dramatically, with nearly 54,000 immigrants now wearing GPS-enabled devices under U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement surveillance. This surge from just 17,000 in early 2024 reflects a policy shift toward high-security monitoring, raising privacy and legal concerns.

How ICE Ankle Monitor Tracking Works

ICE’s Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP) uses a tiered system of surveillance. Ankle monitors provide real-time GPS location data, while alternatives like the SmartLink app use facial recognition and location check-ins. The Geo Group, which runs ISAP through its subsidiary BI Inc, reported the numbers in its earnings call on Thursday.

The overall ISAP enrollment stayed flat at about 184,000 participants, but the mix shifted heavily toward ankle monitors. ICE directed agents in June 2025 to move more immigrants to ankle monitors, according to a memo obtained by the Washington Post. This policy, dubbed “ankle monitors for all” by critics, has sparked a new class-action lawsuit.

Cost and Revenue Implications

Ankle monitors cost ICE just over $2 per day per monitor, while the SmartLink app costs about $0.96 per immigrant. With 127,000 immigrants using SmartLink, the shift to ankle monitors has boosted Geo Group’s revenues. CEO George Zoley acknowledged that the technology mix shift will continue to increase earnings even if participation counts stay stable.

Legal and Privacy Challenges

A class-action lawsuit filed in June 2025 alleges that ICE’s policy imposes continuous, real-time GPS monitoring without individualized justifications. Advocacy groups argue this violates due process and privacy rights. The lawsuit highlights the lack of individualized risk assessments before assigning ankle monitors.

Key Takeaways

• ICE ankle monitor tracking tripled from 17,000 to 54,000 in about a year.
• Geo Group profits from the shift to higher-cost ankle monitors.
• Legal challenges question the constitutionality of blanket GPS surveillance.
• SmartLink app remains the most common surveillance method but is cheaper.

What This Means for Immigrants and Policy

The expansion of ankle monitor tracking reflects a tougher enforcement stance. For immigrants, wearing a monitor can restrict movement, affect employment, and create stigma. For policymakers, the cost and ethical trade-offs are significant.

As the lawsuit progresses, the outcome could reshape ICE’s surveillance practices. For now, the trend toward ankle monitors shows no sign of slowing, with Geo Group projecting continued revenue growth from the contract.

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