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 dramatic increase from just 17,000 early last year. This surge, reported by private prison corporation The Geo Group, highlights a major shift in how the agency monitors individuals under its intensive supervision appearance program (ISAP).

Why ICE Is Expanding Ankle Monitor Use

ICE directed agents in June 2025 to move more immigrants enrolled in ISAP to ankle monitors, according to a memo obtained by the Washington Post. The policy, dubbed "ankle monitors for all" by advocacy groups, replaces less intrusive methods like phone check-ins with continuous real-time GPS tracking.

Geo Group, which runs ISAP through its subsidiary BI Inc, reported that overall enrollment stayed flat at about 184,000, but the mix shifted heavily toward ankle monitors. This change is not just about enforcement—it's also about revenue. Ankle monitors cost ICE a little more than $2 per day per monitor, while the SmartLink app costs only about $0.96 per immigrant. As of the latest count, over 127,000 immigrants use SmartLink for check-ins.

The Financial Incentive Behind the Shift

Geo Group's CEO, George Zoley, acknowledged on an earnings call that this technology mix shift will "continue to increase revenues and earnings generated under the ISAP contract even if overall participation counts remain relatively stable." This raises questions about whether profit motives are driving surveillance policy.

For context, the cost difference is significant. With nearly 54,000 ankle monitors, ICE spends roughly $108,000 per day on these devices alone. In contrast, if all 184,000 participants used SmartLink, the daily cost would be about $176,640—but the current mix actually costs more because ankle monitors are pricier per person.

Legal and Ethical 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 that this blanket approach violates due process and privacy rights.

Individuals are being subjected to constant surveillance without evidence that they pose a flight risk or danger. This has sparked debates about the balance between national security and civil liberties, especially as the technology becomes more pervasive.

Key Takeaways for Readers

• ICE's ankle monitor population tripled from 17,000 to nearly 54,000 in about a year.
• The shift is driven by a June 2025 ICE directive, not necessarily by individual risk assessments.
• Geo Group profits increase as more immigrants are placed on ankle monitors.
• Legal challenges are mounting, with advocates calling for individualized determinations.
• SmartLink app remains a cheaper alternative but is being phased out in favor of monitors.

What This Means for Immigrants and the Public

For immigrants in the system, ankle monitors are more than just a tracking device—they carry stigma, restrict movement, and can interfere with work and family life. For the public, this trend raises concerns about government surveillance expansion and the privatization of immigration enforcement.

As the program grows, transparency and oversight become critical. The earnings call reveals that financial incentives may be shaping policy, which warrants closer scrutiny by lawmakers and the media.

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