ICE to Monitor 180,000 Immigrants with Ankle Bracelets; Vendor Donated Millions to Trump

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is reportedly planning a significant expansion of its electronic surveillance program, aiming to equip approximately 183,000 immigrants with GPS ankle monitors. This marks a substantial increase from the current 24,000 individuals under such tracking, a move that is expected to funnel considerable funds into the private prison industry, particularly companies like GEO Group, which saw a surge in stock value following the last presidential election.

According to reports, an internal ICE memo dated June 9 outlined directives for the “Alternatives to Detention” (ATD) program. This initiative allows adult migrants to remain outside traditional jails or detention facilities while their immigration cases proceed, often involving regular check-ins with courts and immigration officers. The new mandate specifies that these 183,000 participants will now be outfitted with electronic monitoring devices.

For pregnant women enrolled in the program, a GPS wrist tracker is prescribed as an alternative to the ankle monitor. While electronic monitoring might seem preferable to detention, critics argue it remains a dehumanizing experience. Furthermore, these devices are known to cause physical discomfort, including bruising and rashes, and reportedly suffer from poor battery life, creating significant inconvenience for individuals attempting to navigate daily life without being flagged for technical violations.

The Companies Behind the Monitors

The extensive tracking program is primarily managed by BI Inc., a subsidiary of GEO Group. Notably, GEO Group has roots in developing tracking devices for cattle, a historical detail that underscores its long-standing expertise in surveillance technology. While the majority of ATD check-ins currently utilize SmartLINK, a smartphone application employing facial recognition for identity and location verification, ICE appears to be pivoting towards increased use of physical ankle monitors, indicating dissatisfaction with the app-based method alone.

The private prison industry, including major players like GEO Group and CoreCivic, experienced a significant financial boost after the November 2024 presidential election. Share prices for both companies soared, with GEO Group climbing from $14.18 to $26.48 within days, and CoreCivic rising from $13.19 to $23.94. This surge reflects investor confidence in an administration perceived as favoring more expansive immigration enforcement policies.

Political Contributions and Strategic Expansion

Wayne Calabrese, president and COO of GEO Group, openly expressed his anticipation during an earnings call, expecting the incoming administration to adopt a more “expansive approach to monitoring the several millions of individuals who are currently on the non-detained immigrant docket.” Calabrese affirmed GEO Group’s readiness to rapidly scale its capabilities to monitor hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of individuals to support the government’s immigration law compliance objectives.

However, the sheer demand for new ankle monitors might test GEO Group’s capacity for rapid scaling, potentially opening opportunities for other vendors. This ambitious surveillance vision aligns with previous Republican proposals, which have floated the idea of monitoring up to 7 million immigrants in the U.S. through various means, including ankle devices and cellphone surveillance.

The financial ties between GEO Group and political campaigns are significant. Records indicate that GEO Group contributed $1 million to the “Make America Great Again Inc.” group, supporting the last re-election campaign. Additionally, the company donated an extra $500,000 to the previous inaugural committee. This substantial investment suggests the private prison industry anticipates a return on its political contributions through lucrative government contracts.