ICE Ankle Monitor Tracking Hits 54,000 Immigrants 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. This surge reflects a broader policy shift toward high-tech surveillance in immigration enforcement, raising questions about cost, privacy, and legality.

Why ICE Ankle Monitor Numbers Tripled

According to private prison corporation The Geo Group, which runs ICE’s intensive supervision appearance program (ISAP), the overall enrollment in the surveillance program remained flat at about 184,000. However, a significant number of participants were moved from less intensive methods—like phone check-ins—to ankle monitors.

This shift was driven by an ICE directive in June 2025, as reported by the Washington Post, instructing agents to place more immigrants on ankle monitors. The company pitches this as a “high-security level of monitoring,” but critics argue it imposes continuous real-time GPS tracking without individualized justification.

Cost Comparison: Ankle Monitors vs. SmartLink App

The financial implications are substantial. ICE pays Geo Group a little more than $2 per day per ankle monitor, while the SmartLink app—a facial recognition and location tracking smartphone app—costs about $0.96 per immigrant enrolled. With over 127,000 immigrants using SmartLink, the cost difference adds up quickly.

Geo Group’s CEO, George Zoley, noted on an earnings call that this “technology and case management mix shift” will continue to increase revenues and earnings under the ISAP contract, even if overall participation counts remain stable.

Legal and Ethical Concerns

A new class-action lawsuit filed against ICE in June alleges that the “ankle monitors for all” policy violates due process. Immigration advocacy groups argue that individuals are subjected to constant surveillance without individualized risk assessments, which can interfere with work, family life, and basic freedoms.

Supporters of the program say ankle monitors ensure immigrants appear at court hearings and comply with deportation orders. However, the rapid expansion has outpaced oversight, leading to concerns about privacy rights and the profit motive of private contractors.

Key Takeaways

• ICE ankle monitor usage grew from 17,000 to nearly 54,000 in about a year.
• The shift is driven by a June 2025 ICE memo and increases Geo Group’s revenue.
• Ankle monitors cost more than twice as much per person as the SmartLink app.
• A class-action lawsuit challenges the policy as unconstitutional.

What This Means for Immigrants and Taxpayers

For immigrants, the ankle monitor can be stigmatizing and restrictive, often requiring frequent charging and strict movement limitations. For taxpayers, the higher cost per monitor—compared to smartphone-based tracking—raises questions about cost-effectiveness.

As the program expands, policymakers must balance enforcement needs with civil liberties. The outcome of the lawsuit could reshape ICE’s surveillance practices, potentially forcing a return to more individualized assessments.

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