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 in immigration surveillance tactics, with ICE directing agents in June 2025 to move more enrollees from phone check-ins to high-cost ankle monitors. The program, known as the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP), now includes about 184,000 total participants, but the mix is changing rapidly.

Understanding the ICE Ankle Monitor Program Expansion

The Geo Group, which owns BI Inc—the company running ISAP—reported these numbers in its earnings call on Thursday. Executives confirmed that overall participation remained flat, but a significant number of immigrants were shifted from less intensive surveillance, such as the SmartLink app, to ankle monitors. This shift is not just a policy change; it has direct financial implications for the contractor, as ankle monitors cost ICE more than other technologies.

Cost Breakdown: Ankle Monitors vs. SmartLink App

According to publicly available ICE statistics, the company charges ICE a little more than $2 per day for each 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 currently using SmartLink, the cost differential is substantial. This pricing structure means that as more individuals are moved to ankle monitors, Geo Group's revenues increase even if the total number of participants remains stable.

Why ICE Is Pushing for More Ankle Monitors

ICE directed agents in June 2025 to move more immigrants enrolled in ISAP to the ankle monitor program, according to a memo obtained by the Washington Post. The agency frames this as a “high-security level of monitoring,” but critics argue it imposes continuous, real-time GPS tracking without individualized justifications. A new class-action lawsuit filed against ICE in June alleges this “ankle monitors for all” policy violates due process and privacy rights.

The Business Impact on Geo Group

Geo Group Chairman and CEO George Zoley noted 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.” This statement underscores how immigration enforcement policies directly benefit private prison corporations, raising ethical questions about profit motives in surveillance.

Key Takeaways for Readers

• ICE ankle monitor usage has tripled from 17,000 to nearly 54,000 in under two years.
• The shift increases taxpayer costs, as ankle monitors cost over $2 per day versus $0.96 for SmartLink.
• Geo Group profits from this policy change, with revenues rising even as total ISAP enrollment stays flat.
• A class-action lawsuit challenges the policy, citing lack of individualized assessments.
• Immigration advocates warn that GPS monitoring may deter immigrants from attending court hearings.

Legal and Ethical Concerns

The lawsuit, filed by immigration advocacy groups, argues that real-time GPS monitoring without cause is an unreasonable search under the Fourth Amendment. It also highlights that many immigrants are not flight risks, yet they are subjected to the same level of surveillance as high-risk individuals. This one-size-fits-all approach could lead to unnecessary anxiety and stigma for families awaiting immigration proceedings.

What This Means for Immigration Policy

As the Biden administration continues to enforce immigration laws, the reliance on electronic surveillance is likely to grow. However, the cost and ethical implications may prompt lawmakers to reconsider. Some experts suggest that investing in case management and legal representation would be more effective and humane than expanding ankle monitor usage.

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