ICE Expands GPS Ankle Monitor Use to Track 180,000 Immigrants

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has recently made major changes to how it monitors immigrants who are not held in detention centers. As of July 2025, ICE is expanding the use of GPS ankle monitors, aiming to track about 180,000 immigrants enrolled in its Alternatives to Detention (ATD) program across the United States 🇺🇸. This update brings new rules, affects thousands of families, and raises important questions about privacy, freedom, and daily life for those under surveillance. Here’s a clear breakdown of what’s changed, who is affected, what actions are required, and what these changes mean for pending and future immigration cases.

Summary of What Changed

• ICE now requires field agents to use GPS ankle monitors for nearly all immigrants in the ATD program whenever possible.
• The number of immigrants tracked by GPS ankle monitors is set to rise sharply, reversing a recent trend where smartphone apps were used more often.
• New technology, such as GPS-enabled wristwatches, is being tested as a possible alternative to ankle monitors.
• The Family Expedited Removal Management (FERM) process, announced in June 2025, places heads of household in family units on ATD technology, including ankle monitors with nightly curfews.

Who Is Affected

• Immigrants released from detention or awaiting immigration court hearings who are enrolled in the ATD program.
• Family units, especially heads of household, who may be placed on ankle monitors or similar devices under the FERM process.
• Individuals who previously used the SmartLINK app or phone check-ins may now be required to wear a GPS ankle monitor instead.
• Pending applicants for asylum, removal proceedings, or other immigration relief who are not detained but are under ICE supervision.

Effective Dates

• The new directive is in effect as of July 2025.
• The FERM process began in June 2025.
• The pilot program for GPS wristwatches started in Denver, Colorado, in 2023 and may expand.

Required Actions for Affected Individuals

If you are currently enrolled in the ATD program or expect to be, here’s what you need to know and do:

1. Stay in Contact with ICE: Respond promptly to any communication from ICE or your assigned case manager.
2. Attend All Appointments: Show up for scheduled check-ins, court hearings, and device fittings.
3. Comply with Device Rules: If you are given a GPS ankle monitor or wristwatch, you must:
   • Wear the device at all times.
   • Keep the device charged.
   • Remain within any geographic boundaries set by ICE.
   • Follow any curfew or reporting requirements.
4. Report Problems: If your device causes pain, malfunctions, or you have trouble charging it, report this to your ICE case manager immediately.
5. Seek Legal Advice: If you have questions about your rights or how monitoring affects your case, contact an immigration attorney or a trusted legal aid group.

Background: What Is the ATD Program?

The Alternatives to Detention (ATD) program began in 2004. Its goal is to monitor immigrants who are not held in detention centers while they wait for their immigration cases to be decided. Instead of being locked up, these individuals are tracked using technology. The main types of monitoring are:

• GPS ankle monitors: Electronic bracelets worn around the ankle that track location 24/7.
• SmartLINK app: A smartphone app that requires daily check-ins and shares location data with ICE.
• Telephonic check-ins: Regular phone calls to confirm location and compliance.

The Biden administration has expanded the ATD program, saying it is a more humane and cost-effective way to ensure immigrants attend their court hearings. According to ICE, the program has a compliance rate of over 99%.

Key Data and Trends

• 180,000 immigrants are currently monitored by GPS ankle monitors or the SmartLINK app.
• In March 2023, only about 4,874 people wore ankle monitors, while over 252,000 used the SmartLINK app. The new policy is expected to increase ankle monitor use dramatically.
• The ATD program’s budget grew from $126 million in 2017 to $443 million in 2022, showing a 352% increase as electronic monitoring expanded.
• ICE is seeking to expand its contract with BI, a subsidiary of the Geo Group, for up to $2.2 billion to provide more monitoring devices.

Step-by-Step Process for Placement on GPS Ankle Monitors

1. Enrollment in ATD: After release from detention or at the start of immigration proceedings, ICE decides if an individual should join the ATD program.
2. Assessment: ICE reviews each person’s case to decide what type of monitoring is needed. This can include risk factors, family ties, and flight risk.
3. Device Placement: If ICE chooses a GPS ankle monitor, agents will fit the device on the person’s ankle. In some cases, a GPS wristwatch may be used instead.
4. Ongoing Monitoring: The device tracks the person’s location at all times. The wearer must keep it charged and follow any special rules, such as curfews.
5. Enforcement: If someone does not follow the rules—such as removing the device, not charging it, or leaving the allowed area—ICE may arrest them and place them in detention.

Practical Implications for Immigrants

Wearing a GPS ankle monitor or similar device has a big impact on daily life:

• Movement is restricted: Many people must stay within certain areas and may have curfews.
• Physical discomfort: Ankle monitors can cause pain, swelling, and skin problems.
• Emotional distress: Many people feel embarrassed, anxious, or depressed. Some describe it as being “in jail at home.”
• Privacy concerns: ICE can track every movement, raising worries about personal privacy and data security.
• Risk of arrest: ICE has used location data from these devices to arrest people, even in places like churches.

Example: Wilson Velásquez, an asylum seeker, was arrested by ICE while attending church in Georgia. His GPS ankle monitor allowed agents to locate him easily.

Stakeholders and Their Views

• ICE: The agency says the ATD program is a cost-effective way to make sure immigrants attend court and follow the law. ICE claims the high compliance rate shows the program works.
• Immigrant advocates and civil rights groups: These groups argue that GPS ankle monitors and similar devices are harsh and unnecessary. They say the technology turns homes into “cyber prisons” and causes harm to families.
• Private companies: Firms like BI (owned by the Geo Group) make large profits from government contracts to supply and manage monitoring devices.

Policy Developments and New Technology

• Pilot program for GPS wristwatches: In Denver, Colorado, ICE is testing GPS wristwatches as a less intrusive option. These devices still track location but may be more comfortable than ankle monitors.
• FERM process: The Family Expedited Removal Management process, started in June 2025, places heads of household in family units on ATD technology. This often means ankle monitors with nightly curfews, affecting entire families.
• Expansion of biometric monitoring: ICE has filed a Request for Information (RFI) to explore new biometric technologies, signaling plans to use even more advanced electronic monitoring in the future.

Compliance and Enforcement

• High compliance rates: ICE reports that over 99% of people in the ATD program attend their court hearings and follow program rules.
• Strict enforcement: Non-compliance can lead to arrest, detention, and negative effects on immigration cases.
• Device maintenance: Wearers must keep devices charged and in good working order. Failure to do so can be treated as a violation.

Implications for Pending Applications

If you have a pending immigration application and are placed on a GPS ankle monitor or other ATD technology, here’s what you should consider:

• Court attendance is critical: Missing a hearing can result in a removal order and possible arrest.
• Device violations can harm your case: Not following ATD rules may be seen as a sign you are not trustworthy, which can affect your application.
• Legal help is important: If you believe the monitoring is unfair or causing harm, talk to a lawyer. Some legal groups may be able to help challenge the use of ankle monitors in court.

Future Outlook

• More electronic monitoring likely: ICE’s push for new contracts and technology suggests the number of people tracked by GPS ankle monitors and similar devices will keep growing.
• Possible expansion of FERM: The Family Expedited Removal Management process may be used for more families, increasing the number of people affected.
• Ongoing debate: Advocates and experts continue to argue about the human rights impact of electronic monitoring. Lawsuits or policy changes could happen in the future.

Expert Perspectives

• Some experts say the ATD program is better than detention but warn that it still feels like punishment. They call it “technological incarceration.”
• Others point out that while compliance rates are high, it’s not clear if people follow the rules because they want to or because they are afraid of being arrested.
• Privacy and data security remain big concerns, as ICE collects and stores large amounts of personal information.

Official Resources and Where to Get Help

• ICE Alternatives to Detention Program FAQ: This page answers common questions about monitoring policies and procedures. ICE ATD FAQ
• ICE ATD Program official page: Find details on program goals and technology use at ICE ATD Program.
• ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Field Offices: There are 25 offices nationwide. Find your local office for help with device issues or reporting requirements.
• American Immigration Council: Offers independent analysis and fact sheets on ATD programs. Visit American Immigration Council.

Contact Information for ICE ATD Inquiries

• Address: 500 12th St SW, Washington, DC 20536
• ICE Crime Reporting Hotline: 1-866-DHS-2-ICE (1-866-347-2423)

Actionable Takeaways

• If you are enrolled in ATD, follow all rules and keep in touch with your ICE case manager.
• If you experience problems with your device, report them right away.
• Attend all court hearings and check-ins to avoid negative consequences.
• Seek legal help if you believe your rights are being violated or if you need advice about your case.
• Stay informed about policy changes by checking official ICE resources and trusted immigration news sources.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the expansion of GPS ankle monitors under the ATD program marks a major shift in how ICE manages immigrants outside detention. While the agency says this approach is more humane and cost-effective, many affected individuals and advocates worry about the impact on daily life, privacy, and mental health. The debate over electronic monitoring is likely to continue as technology and policy evolve.

For the most up-to-date information and official guidance, visit the ICE Alternatives to Detention Program page.

By understanding these changes and knowing your rights and responsibilities, you can better protect yourself and your family during this challenging time. If you are unsure about any part of the process, reach out to a trusted legal professional or advocacy group for support.

Learn Today

ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the federal agency enforcing immigration laws and monitoring immigrants.
Alternatives to Detention (ATD) → Program monitoring immigrants outside detention centers using technology like GPS ankle monitors or apps.
GPS ankle monitor → Electronic device worn on the ankle, tracking location continuously for immigration supervision.
Family Expedited Removal Management (FERM) → Process placing family heads on GPS ankle monitoring with curfews, started June 2025.
SmartLINK app → Smartphone application requiring daily location check-ins for immigrants under ICE supervision.

This Article in a Nutshell

Starting July 2025, ICE requires GPS ankle monitors for most immigrants in its ATD program, affecting 180,000 people. This shift reintroduces stricter electronic tracking and curfews, impacting families and individuals, while pilot programs test new GPS wristwatches to improve comfort and compliance within immigration monitoring policies.
— By VisaVerge.com