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 increase from just 17,000 early last year, according to private prison corporation The Geo Group. This surge in ankle monitor usage marks a significant shift in immigration surveillance practices, raising questions about cost, privacy, and legal implications.

Why ICE Is Expanding Ankle Monitor Surveillance

ICE's intensive supervision appearance program (ISAP) currently enrolls about 184,000 immigrants, but the mix of surveillance methods is changing rapidly. In June 2025, ICE directed agents to move more participants to ankle monitors, according to a memo obtained by the Washington Post. This policy, dubbed "ankle monitors for all" by advocacy groups, prioritizes real-time GPS tracking over less intrusive methods like phone check-ins.

The Geo Group, which runs ISAP through its subsidiary BI Inc, reported the numbers in its earnings call on Thursday. Executives noted that while overall participation remained flat, the shift to ankle monitors has boosted revenues. The company charges ICE a little more than $2 per day per monitor, compared to about $0.96 for the SmartLink app, which uses facial recognition and location tracking on smartphones.

The Cost and Revenue Implications

This technology mix shift is financially significant. As George Zoley, Geo Group chairman and CEO, stated on the earnings call: "If this trend continues, the technology and case management mix shift will continue to increase revenues and earnings generated under the ISAP contract even if overall participation counts remain relatively stable."

With over 127,000 immigrants using SmartLink and nearly 54,000 on ankle monitors, the daily cost to ICE is substantial. The increased reliance on ankle monitors represents a higher-cost surveillance option, but it also provides more constant monitoring capabilities.

Legal Challenges and Privacy Concerns

A new class action lawsuit filed against ICE in June alleges that this "ankle monitors for all" policy "imposes continuous, real-time GPS monitoring without individualized justifications." Immigration advocacy groups argue that subjecting individuals to constant tracking violates privacy rights and due process. The lawsuit highlights concerns about the lack of individualized assessments before imposing such intrusive surveillance.

Legal experts also point out that ankle monitors can be stigmatizing and may hinder immigrants' ability to work or maintain family relationships. The constant GPS tracking creates a digital footprint that could be used beyond immigration proceedings, raising additional privacy red flags.

What This Means for Immigrants and Policy

For immigrants in the ISAP program, the shift to ankle monitors means more intense scrutiny and less freedom. It also raises practical issues, such as the need to keep devices charged and the potential for false alerts. For policymakers, the expansion reflects a tougher stance on immigration enforcement, but it also comes with higher costs and legal risks.

• Key Takeaway: ICE's ankle monitor population has tripled in under two years, from 17,000 to nearly 54,000.
• Key Takeaway: The shift increases Geo Group's revenue but raises privacy and legal concerns.
• Key Takeaway: The class action lawsuit could reshape how ICE uses electronic surveillance.

Future Outlook and Potential Reforms

As the lawsuit progresses, courts may require ICE to provide individualized justifications for ankle monitor use. Meanwhile, the Geo Group's earnings suggest that the trend is likely to continue, barring policy changes. Immigration advocates are calling for more transparent criteria and greater oversight of the ISAP program.

For now, the numbers are clear: ankle monitor surveillance is expanding rapidly, and its implications for immigrant communities are profound. Understanding these developments is crucial for anyone following US immigration policy.

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