Aug 2, 2023

The economics of allowing immigrants in, and letting them stay

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Ankle monitors and other electronic tracking tech have found a market in immigrant surveillance — a lucrative market. We'll also visit Chile, where migrating might get more difficult.

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Barriers to Entry

The growing business of immigrant surveillance

by Elizabeth Trovall

Aug 2, 2023

Under the Biden administration, there’s been a rapid expansion of the electronic monitoring of immigrant families and individuals waiting for their immigration cases to move through the courts over several years. This investment in surveillance and case management tech is throwing private prison companies a lifeline.

A migrant charges his ankle monitor battery at an immigration facility in Texas. The use of ankle bracelets and GPS monitoring for recent border crossers with pending cases has ballooned under the Biden administration.

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

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David Brancaccio Host

Leanna Byrne Host, BBC

Kelly Silvera Executive Producer

Meredith Garretson Morbey Senior Producer

Erika Soderstrom Producer

Alex Schroeder Producer

Ariana Rosas Producer

Jordan Mangi Digital Producer

Jesson Duller Media Producer

Nick Esposito Media Producer

James Graham Producer, BBC

Jo Critcher Producer, BBC

Olie D'Albertanson Producer, BBC

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