Recently, many immigrants who check in at ICE offices are leaving with ankle monitors or other tracking devices. This change aims to monitor as many as 4.5 million individuals who may be subject to deportation, according to sources informing the Post.
Those who cross borders illegally and attend their regular ICE appointments—after going through the U.S. court system—are expressing heightened anxiety over the current administration’s immigration policies. The scheduled check-ins reflect this apprehension, sources noted.
“We have a new sheriff in town. Nothing that was done in the last four years continues. The agency is seeking accountability,” a source explained.
Currently, immigrants reporting to local ICE offices have not yet received deportation orders, but they are expected to do so for various reasons as their cases navigate the system. These check-ins are designed to ensure that they don’t skip immigration court or engage in criminal activities.
With renewed vigor, ICE has deployed agents to apprehend individuals who remove their ankle monitors, a shift from the policies seen under the Biden administration. “During Biden’s term, people disappeared, and no one pursued them. That’s set to change,” the source added.
Thousands of ankle monitors have been distributed across the U.S. as part of plans to ramp up tracking, as the current administration aims to enhance the intensive supervision program which saw reduced use under the previous one.
As of last month, ICE was tracking roughly 183,000 immigrants, with about 18,000 utilizing ankle monitors while the rest are managed through decorative wrist devices and smartphone applications.
On average, the cost for each person with an ankle monitor is approximately $2.75 a day, which is significantly lower than the estimated $152 daily burden to taxpayers.
ICE intends to maximize the use of ankle monitors before moving individuals to less restrictive options, including mobile applications and wrist devices, sources indicated.
Those with ankle monitors will need to check in periodically, with intervals of 4, 8, or 12 weeks.
According to sources, the Trump administration is justifying these measures by stating that immigrants are hesitant to report to ICE anymore due to fears of being pursued.
This strategy also aids ICE agents, directing their efforts toward significant deportation operations by collaborating with BI Inc., a government contractor that provides essential technology. These contractors will also assist immigrants in obtaining travel documents should they decide to return home voluntarily.
