The GOP’s new Homeland Security Funding bill would require “all non-detained migrants” to wear GPS tracking devices, a demoralizing “alternative to detention” that is part of the Trump administration’s continuing immigration crackdown, according to Migrant Insider.
“Non-detained” includes asylum seekers and even students. Tracking millions of innocent people like endangered animals will be a tall task, a challenge that will likely go to another seedy private surveillance corporation.
This is not the first time DHS and ICE have used tracking devices on non-detained immigrants. Last year, ICE issued 3,000 wrist worn “Veri-Watches” to keep constant tabs on asylum seekers.
“These wrist-worn GPS monitoring devices would supplement existing [Alternative to Detention] capabilities for noncitizens who qualify for the non-detained docket in a less obtrusive manner, increasing compliance for participants moving through the immigration process,” ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Executive Associate Director Corey Price said in 2023 when announcing the tracking program.
Those wrist-worn trackers resembled smart watches without any personal use capabilities. ICE agents could perform live location monitoring, facial recognition, and messaging. It’s likely that this most recent development will use similar technologies, if not the same.
This draconian, dehumanizing invasion of privacy isn’t the only alarming development in this funding cycle. The appropriations bill will also include yet another ban on DEI funding at DHS, $4.4 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody operations, and bans local law enforcement from decreasing their 287(g) agreements with ICE. This bill is a dream come true for the likes of Stephen Miller and Tom Homan. It is expected to pass through the House and the Senate.
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