Asylum Seeking Persons Forced to Wear Monitoring Ankle Bracelets

Under pressure from a United States District Judge in Flores v. Lynch, U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) officials are now exploring ways to release mothers and their children from privately run for-profit immigration detention centers throughout, Texas. However, human rights activists are unhappy that GEO, the same for-profit prison company that locked up the families will now continue to manages their cases after release.

Calling itself “the world leader in private correctional, detention management, and community residential re-entry services,” GEO holds asylum seeking persons at 15 ICE detention centers in six states.  ICE calls such privately run facilities “humane family residential centers.”  This year alone, the government will pay GEO $56 million to manage ankle monitors for 10,000 immigrants, and to run telephone check-ins for 20,000 immigrants.  

Laura Lichter, a Denver immigration attorney volunteering at a GEO Texas detention facility, said that in her 20 years of practice she has never seen ICE add a monitoring device or impose other conditions after an immigration judge has set bond. She said the bracelet monitors were cumbersome, conspicuous and required constant charging and were another tacit attempt at deterrence for further immigration. See the Associated Press

According to NPR, the manager in charge of GEO’s new ankle bracelet program was, notably, a former top official in ICE’s Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations.

Recommended Articles

cell phone forensics
Arizona Standard Conditions of Probation Now Include Warrantless Cell Phone Searches

The Arizona Supreme Court ruled that probationer’s cell phones are included in the definition "property" that is subject to warrantless searches

article feature image
SCOTUS Resolves Circuit Split and Rejects 9th Circuit’s More Lenient Cancellation of Removal Standard

SCOTUS clarified that a legal permanent resident alien can be physically in the U.S., commit a criminal offense, and still be inadmissible.

article feature image
BIA Must Disclose Evidence Against Some Applicants Accused of Marriage Fraud

Even the most experienced immigration lawyers can sometimes be completely baffled as to why USCIS denies a particular petition.

article feature image
9th Circuit Rules in Case Involving Immigration Attorney Error 14 Years Ago

Last week, the 9th circuit ruled in favor of an applicant for permanent residence in Peters v. Barr, who was caught in a 14-year-long bureaucratic nightmare

immigration law cover
If I am not a U.S. Citizen and I am Charged with a Crime, Do I Also Need an Immigration Attorney?

If you are not a U.S. citizen and you are charged with a crime, you might eventually need an immigration attorney.

Michael Harwin

About Michael Harwin

Michael’s skill and experience have been recognized repeatedly. He holds an A-V 5/5 preeminent rating by Martindale Hubbell. He has been named one of the top lawyers in Arizona by Southwest Superlawyers, and one of the best lawyers in Tucson by Tucson Lifestyle Magazine. He also has been named one of the best lawyers in the United States by BestofUS.com , and given the highest rating possible by AVVO, 10/10 Superb. Amazon Books