Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) began using ankle monitor devices on immigrants pending deportation proceedings approximately 12 years ago. When a deluge of Central American asylum seekers started to enter the U.S. in 2014, ICE began using ankle monitors much more frequently than before. Rather than remaining in a detention center, ICE offered immigrants the chance to be released from detention, so long as they wore ankle monitors as a condition of their release. Between 2014 and 2015, roughly 23,000 immigrants were wearing ankle monitors. By 2016, that number had risen to 60,000. ICE claims that ankle monitor devices are an efficient way of keeping track of immigrants and ensuring that they appear at their court dates without the costs and hassles of detention. In fact, according to ICE, 99% of the immigrants wearing ankle monitors have appeared at their court hearings as scheduled, thus reducing the need for detention. Nonetheless, increased usage of ankle monitors doesn’t seem to have reduced the number of detained individuals, at least so far. In October, 2016, an all-time high of 42,000 immigrants were detained at immigrant detention centers. BI Incorporated, a subsidiary of Geo Group and a private prison company that operates many immigration detention centers, has a five-year contract to provide, monitor, and operate GPS ankle monitoring devices for ICE. The devices allow immigration officers to send pre-recorded voice messages to offenders through the devices; in essence, the device actually talks to the detainee at random intervals. The increased usage of these devices results in more dollars for Geo Group, who also is profiting from the increased usage of immigration detention centers and the construction of new detention centers since Trump took office. Landerholm Immigration, A.P.C. is an Oakland immigration law firm who has dedicated their practice to protecting the interests of immigrants who are seeking to remain in the U.S. and facing potential deportation, whether due to a visa overstay or another reason. We are prepared to build the strongest case possible in order to defend you against deportation. Contact us today to set up your legal consultation and discover what assistance we can offer to you and your family.
