ICE Tracks 54,000 Immigrants via 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 sharp rise from just 17,000 early last year, according to private prison corporation The Geo Group.

This surge reflects a major policy shift under the intensive supervision appearance program (ISAP), which now enrolls about 184,000 immigrants overall. The move has significant implications for civil liberties, government spending, and private contractors profiting from surveillance.

Why ICE Expanded Ankle Monitor Usage

In June 2025, ICE directed agents to transfer more ISAP participants from lower-cost surveillance methods, such as phone check-ins, to ankle monitors. This "ankle monitors for all" policy was first reported by the Washington Post and has triggered legal backlash.

The Geo Group, which owns BI Inc, the contractor running ISAP, reported the numbers during its earnings call on Thursday. Executives noted that while total participation remained flat, the mix shifted dramatically toward the most intensive monitoring tier.

Cost Breakdown of ICE Surveillance Technologies

Ankle monitors are significantly more expensive than other ISAP tools. According to public ICE statistics, the daily cost per participant is over $2 for a monitor, versus about $0.96 for the SmartLink app, which uses facial recognition and location tracking. Over 127,000 immigrants currently use SmartLink.

This cost disparity means that even with flat enrollment, ICE’s spending on ISAP is rising. Geo Group CEO George Zoley confirmed on the earnings call that the shift "will continue to increase revenues and earnings generated under the ISAP contract."

Legal and Ethical Concerns

A class-action lawsuit filed in June 2025 by immigration advocacy groups alleges that the new policy imposes continuous, real-time GPS monitoring without individualized justifications. Plaintiffs argue this violates due process and privacy rights, subjecting immigrants to constant surveillance without evidence of flight risk or danger.

Critics also point out that ankle monitors can be stigmatizing, interfere with employment, and create technical failures that lead to wrongful detention or deportation. The lawsuit seeks to halt the blanket expansion and require case-by-case assessments.

Key Takeaways for Readers

• ICE’s ankle monitor population tripled from 17,000 to nearly 54,000 in under two years.
• The policy shift is driven by a June 2025 ICE memo and benefits private contractors like The Geo Group.
• Ankle monitors cost ICE more than double the SmartLink app per day.
• Legal challenges argue the program lacks individualized justification and violates civil liberties.
• Total ISAP enrollment remains stable at 184,000, but spending is increasing due to the mix shift.

FAQ

As the debate over immigration enforcement intensifies, the expansion of ankle monitoring raises critical questions about surveillance, profit motives, and the treatment of immigrants in the US legal system. Stay informed as this story develops.

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