Post Reports: Why More Immigrants Are Being Tracked with Ankle Monitors – and Who Profits
Released on July 30, 2025
Hosts: Martine Powers and Elahe Izadi
Reporter: Doug McMillan, Corporate Accountability Reporter for The Washington Post
Introduction to the Issue
In the July 30th episode of Post Reports, hosts Martine Powers and Elahe Izadi delve into the escalating use of ankle monitors to track immigrants in the United States. The episode sheds light on the personal impact of this policy on individuals like Paola Diaz and exposes the financial interests of private companies profiting from government surveillance.
Paola Diaz's Experience
Paola Diaz, a 29-year-old mother from Honduras, serves as a poignant example of the new ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) policies. Seeking refuge from an abusive husband, Paola fled Honduras in 2021 and filed an asylum claim in the U.S. She diligently attended all her court appointments and complied with mandatory check-ins, believing she was adhering to all requirements.
However, in [00:02], Elahe Izadi narrates:
"Paola Diaz is a mother of two. She's 29 years old and from Honduras. And last month, she was told to report to an ICE contractor's office in Virginia."
Paola's visit to the ICE office was perplexing, as she wasn't informed of the reason for her summons. Doug McMillan explains that she was among approximately 50 individuals in a similar situation, all unaware of the exact purpose of their attendance.
[01:58] Doug McMillan:
"Eventually, they called her back and they told her that she had to get outfitted with an ankle monitor, which would track her every movement and also limit her geographical location to Virginia, Maryland, and D.C."
The ankle monitor restricts Paola's movements and subjects her to constant surveillance, triggering alerts if she deviates from designated areas. This unexpected escalation in monitoring left Paola feeling confused and uncertain about her status.
Impact on Paola's Life
Paola's life has been significantly altered since being fitted with the ankle monitor. [04:14] Doug McMillan shares insights from a colleague who interviewed Paola:
"Her six-year-old son questioned, 'What is this thing?'...She knew that having this device on her was a really big deal because it would give the government not only control over her life and surveillance into her everyday movements but also the ability to quickly find her if and when they decided to deport her."
The physical discomfort and social stigma associated with the device have further strained her daily life. At her workplace, McDonald's, Paola has faced curious glances from both colleagues and customers, compelling her to alter her wardrobe to conceal the monitor.
[06:05] Elahe Izadi:
"Because I think the subtext here is there's sort of a connotation of if you're wearing this, then somehow you've been found guilty of a crime or something."
Paola, along with tens of thousands of other immigrants, now grapples with the dual burden of government surveillance and societal judgment, despite many not having any criminal convictions.
ICE's Expanded Surveillance Policy
The episode uncovers a recent ICE policy shift aimed at increasing the use of ankle monitors among immigrants awaiting case resolutions. Currently, approximately 24,000 individuals are monitored through ankle devices within the Alternatives to Detention (ATD) program, which houses about 180,000 immigrants.
[07:33] Doug McMillan:
"So now potentially all 183,000 of these people are going to have to come into a field office and have one of these shackles with GPS tracking technology on it..."
This marks a significant increase from the previous 10-13% participation rate in physical monitoring devices. The expansion is driven by a memo released on June 9th, directing ICE staff to implement ankle monitors universally within the ATD program, excluding only pregnant women who receive wrist-based trackers.
Investigative Findings: Corporate Profit from Surveillance
A major focus of the episode is the revelation of BI Inc., a subsidiary of the Geo Group, as the sole provider of ICE's immigrant tracking technology. Based in Boulder, Colorado, BI Inc. holds a monopoly over federal contracts related to Alternatives to Detention.
[15:03] Doug McMillan:
"They have a contract currently that's worth about $250 million a year, but the contract is dependent on the number of people in it."
The Geo Group's extensive involvement in various facets of immigration enforcement—including detention centers, transportation for deportations, and now surveillance—highlights a profitable symbiosis between private contractors and government enforcement agencies.
Notably, Tom Homan, Trump's border czar, has disclosed consulting for Geo Group, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
[19:52] Doug McMillan:
"He revealed in his ethics disclosure that he consulted for Geo Group within the past couple of years. And not only that, but he consulted for the actual division of Geo Group that runs the immigrant tracking program."
When approached for comments, a spokesperson indicated that Homan recuses himself from discussions related to government contracts, leaving questions about the depth of his influence unanswered.
The Human Cost and Ethical Concerns
The implementation of ankle monitors, while presented as a cost-effective alternative to detention centers, imposes significant hardships on individuals like Paola. The necessity to constantly manage device maintenance, such as battery replacements, disrupts daily routines and adds layers of stress.
[13:02] Doug McMillan:
"These interactions that you're having because a technology is not working properly or you have to kind of maintain this technology all the time really do intrude on someone's life."
Moreover, the reliance on a private company with minimal oversight raises critical ethical questions about privacy, consent, and the potential for abuse in government surveillance practices.
Conclusion: Implications for Government Surveillance
The expansion of ankle monitor usage among immigrants underlines a broader trend of increasing government surveillance facilitated by private contractors. This strategy not only serves as a more manageable alternative to mass detentions but also substantially benefits companies like BI Inc. and the Geo Group financially.
[23:19] Doug McMillan:
"What are the kind of oversight of that? And what are the laws and rules and guardrails that will prevent that from being abused?"
As ICE continues to broaden its surveillance tools, the episode calls into question the balance between effective immigration enforcement and the protection of individual rights and freedoms.
This episode of Post Reports offers a compelling examination of the intersection between immigration policy, technology, and private corporate interests, highlighting the profound personal and societal impacts of expanded government surveillance.