ICE Tracks 54,000 Immigrants with Ankle Monitors: What It Means 2026

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is now tracking nearly 54,000 immigrants through GPS-enabled ankle monitors, a dramatic surge from just 17,000 early last year. This expansion, revealed by private prison corporation The Geo Group, signals a major shift in immigration surveillance policy under the intensive supervision appearance program (ISAP). For immigrants, legal experts, and policymakers, understanding this trend is crucial as it raises serious privacy and due process concerns.

Why ICE Is Expanding Ankle Monitor Usage

According to a memo obtained by the Washington Post, ICE directed agents in June 2025 to move more immigrants enrolled in ISAP to the ankle monitor program. The Geo Group, which owns BI Inc—the company running ISAP—reported that overall enrollment remained flat at about 184,000, but the mix shifted dramatically toward GPS ankle monitors. This “ankle monitors for all” policy, as described in a new class-action lawsuit, imposes continuous real-time tracking without individualized justifications.

The shift is financially motivated. Ankle monitors cost ICE a little more than $2 per day per monitor, compared to just $0.96 for the SmartLink app, a facial recognition and location tracking smartphone app. With over 127,000 immigrants using SmartLink, the revenue impact is significant. George Zoley, Geo Group chairman and CEO, confirmed on an earnings call that this technology mix shift “will continue to increase revenues and earnings” even if participation counts stay stable.

Cost Comparison: Ankle Monitors vs. SmartLink App

This table highlights the cost disparity and why ICE’s pivot to ankle monitors boosts Geo Group’s bottom line. The company pitches ankle monitors as a “high-security level of monitoring,” but critics argue the increased expense is not justified by public safety benefits.

Legal and Privacy Concerns

The class-action lawsuit, filed against ICE in June, alleges that the ankle monitor expansion “imposes continuous, real-time GPS monitoring without individualized justifications.” Immigration advocacy groups argue that this policy subjects individuals to constant surveillance, violating privacy rights and creating a chilling effect on community trust. Legal experts note that while ICE has broad authority, the lack of case-by-case assessment may breach constitutional protections against unreasonable searches.

Moreover, the psychological and financial burden on immigrants is substantial. Ankle monitors can cause skin irritation, social stigma, and interfere with employment. Many immigrants report difficulty charging devices or maintaining signal in rural areas, leading to false violations and potential detention.

Key Takeaways for Readers

• ICE’s ankle monitor population surged from 17,000 to nearly 54,000 in under two years.
• The policy shift is driven by revenue incentives for private contractor The Geo Group.
• SmartLink app is cheaper but less restrictive; ICE is moving away from it despite lower cost.
• A class-action lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of blanket GPS monitoring.
• Immigrants under ISAP should understand their rights and potential legal remedies.

What This Means for Immigrants and Communities

For immigrants in the ISAP program, the expansion means more intrusive oversight and higher stakes for compliance. Even minor technical issues with the monitor can lead to revocation of release or deportation proceedings. Community organizations are urging immigrants to document any malfunction and seek legal counsel immediately.

From a policy perspective, the trend raises questions about the privatization of immigration enforcement. Private prison corporations profit from stricter surveillance, creating a perverse incentive to expand monitoring rather than reduce it. Advocates call for legislative oversight and transparency in ICE contracts.

FAQ

As the surveillance program expands, staying informed is your best defense. Whether you are an immigrant, a family member, or an advocate, understanding these changes helps you navigate the system and protect your rights.

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