ICE Ankle Monitor Tracking Surges to 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, according to private prison corporation The Geo Group. This surge reflects a broader shift toward high-security electronic surveillance within ICE's intensive supervision appearance program (ISAP).

Why Ankle Monitor Usage Has Tripled

The dramatic increase in ankle monitor usage stems from an ICE directive issued in June 2025, which instructed agents to move more immigrants enrolled in ISAP to this more intensive tracking method. The Geo Group, which runs ISAP through its subsidiary BI Inc, reported that overall program enrollment remained flat at about 184,000, but a large portion of participants were shifted from phone check-ins to ankle monitors.

This policy change has significant financial implications. Ankle monitors cost ICE over $2 per day per monitor, while the SmartLink app—a facial recognition and location tracking smartphone application—costs only about $0.96 per immigrant. With more than 127,000 immigrants currently using SmartLink, the shift toward ankle monitors is boosting revenues for Geo Group.

Financial Impact on Geo Group

Geo Group's chairman and CEO, George Zoley, acknowledged on an earnings call that the technology mix shift will continue to increase revenues and earnings under the ISAP contract, even if overall participation counts remain stable. This revenue growth comes as the company pitches ankle monitors as a “high-security level of monitoring.”

The company's financial disclosures reveal a clear incentive to expand ankle monitor use, raising questions about whether surveillance decisions are driven by enforcement needs or profit motives.

Legal and Privacy Concerns

A new class-action lawsuit filed against ICE in June alleges that the “ankle monitors for all” policy imposes continuous, real-time GPS monitoring without individualized justifications. Immigration advocacy groups argue this violates due process and privacy rights, subjecting immigrants to constant surveillance without evidence of flight risk or danger.

The lawsuit highlights the tension between public safety and civil liberties, as more immigrants face the stigma and practical burdens of wearing GPS monitors for months or years.

Comparison of ICE Surveillance Technologies

Key Takeaways

• Ankle monitor usage has tripled from 17,000 to nearly 54,000 in under two years.
• ICE's June 2025 directive pushed more immigrants into high-cost GPS tracking.
• Geo Group profits directly from the shift, raising conflict-of-interest concerns.
• A class-action lawsuit challenges the policy as unconstitutional and overly broad.
• Cost per monitor is more than double that of the SmartLink app, straining taxpayer funds.

What This Means for Immigrants and Policy

For immigrants in ISAP, ankle monitors mean constant location tracking, frequent charging requirements, and potential social stigma. The devices can also malfunction, leading to false violations and detention. Advocacy groups urge ICE to use risk-based assessments rather than blanket policies.

As the program expands, policymakers face pressure to balance enforcement with cost-effectiveness and human rights. The outcome of the lawsuit could reshape how electronic surveillance is used in immigration enforcement.

FAQ