In recent weeks, the United States Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has recorded a notable decrease in the number of migrants detained in its facilities, but has increased the number of those who are released and monitored by GPS.
According to the figures, 36,931 people had been detained by ICE as of March 24, more than 2,000 fewer compared to the numbers from the previous month.
Specialists from Syracuse University believe that these changes are largely due to the decrease in arrests made by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents, which went from 27,623 to 24,248 between December 10 and 24. March.
Official figures indicate that 23,745 of those detained (64.3% of the total) had no criminal record, and that Texas has been the territory with the highest number of detainees by ICE during the current fiscal year 2024.
More specifically, it was indicated that ICE and CBP agents detained 7,387 and 17,050 people in February 2024, and that the South Texas Fam Residential Center, located in Dilley, Texas, recorded a daily average of 1,849 detainees through March of 2024.
While the decrease in detainees in ICE facilities was recorded, the number of people released by the agency increased, so that some 184,000 migrants are now monitored with the help of different devices.
ICE’s so-called alternatives to detention (ATD) program has intensified the use of this electronic surveillance, using ankle bracelets or smart watches for this.
The use of smartwatches with GPS began in mid-2023, and in just the last two weeks they went from 365 to 572 devices. For its part, the use of ankle monitors remains at around 18,518.
ICE ATDs are currently monitoring 183,935 individuals and families who entered the country irregularly. The new strategy reflects an effort to improve the use of resources and improve the treatment of migrants, prioritizing alternatives to detention.
Why monitor someone by GPS?
GPS monitoring uses geolocation technology to monitor migrants in real time, allowing us to know where they are at any time of the day.
This monitoring allows ICE to know if migrants are complying with the terms of their parole, such as attending court dates or avoiding leaving certain limits.
The limit at which a person can move with one of these devices varies depending on the case, and this is determined by ICE or an immigration judge. There are those who may have freedom of movement within a city or county, while others may be ordered not to approach key locations such as borders or airports.
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