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

ICE ankle monitor tracking has surged to nearly 54,000 immigrants under electronic surveillance, according to private prison corporation The Geo Group. This marks a dramatic increase from just 17,000 early last year, reflecting a policy shift toward high-security monitoring that raises legal and financial questions.

What Is the ICE Ankle Monitor Program?

The program, known as the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP), is operated by BI Inc, a subsidiary of The Geo Group. ICE uses ankle monitors with GPS to track immigrants in real time, ensuring they attend court hearings and comply with deportation orders. The shift to ankle monitors comes after ICE directed agents in June 2025 to move more participants to this level of surveillance.

Why the Sudden Increase?

According to the Washington Post, a memo from ICE leadership mandated the transition from less intensive methods like phone check-ins to ankle monitors. While overall ISAP enrollment remained flat at about 184,000, the mix shifted significantly. This policy, dubbed “ankle monitors for all” by advocacy groups, has sparked a class-action lawsuit filed in June 2025.

Costs and Revenue Implications

The Geo Group charges ICE a little more than $2 per day per ankle monitor, compared to $0.96 per immigrant for the SmartLink app, which uses facial recognition and location tracking. With over 127,000 immigrants still using SmartLink, the revenue mix is changing. CEO George Zoley noted on an earnings call that this trend will “increase revenues and earnings generated under the ISAP contract even if overall participation counts remain relatively stable.”

Legal and Privacy Concerns

Immigration advocacy groups allege that the ankle monitor policy imposes “continuous, real-time GPS monitoring without individualized justifications.” The lawsuit argues this violates due process and privacy rights. Critics also point out that ankle monitors can be stigmatizing and may hinder immigrants’ ability to work or access services.

How Ankle Monitors Affect Immigrants

• Constant surveillance – GPS tracks location 24/7, creating a digital footprint.
• Battery and charging issues – Monitors require daily charging, which can be difficult for homeless or transient individuals.
• Financial burden – Some immigrants may have to pay monitoring fees, though ICE often covers costs.
• Psychological stress – The fear of being tracked can cause anxiety and family disruption.

What This Means for Policy and Business

The expansion of ankle monitor tracking is a win for The Geo Group, which profits from higher-cost surveillance. However, it raises ethical questions about the privatization of immigration enforcement. As the lawsuit progresses, courts may weigh the government’s interest in ensuring court appearances against individual liberties.

Key Takeaways

• ICE ankle monitor tracking has tripled in just over a year, now covering 54,000 immigrants.
• The shift is driven by a 2025 ICE memo mandating more intensive surveillance.
• Geo Group’s revenue increases with each monitor, creating a profit incentive.
• Legal challenges argue the policy lacks individualized justification and violates rights.
• Monitoring costs vary: ankle monitors cost over $2 daily, while apps cost less than $1.

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