U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has contracted with BI Incorporated, a subsidiary of the for-profit prison company GEO Group, to assist in locating immigrants at their residences and workplaces. This initiative, which began in October, involves private investigators conducting 'skip tracing' services to identify the locations of immigrants for potential arrests. ICE has already allocated $1.6 million to BI, with the contract potentially reaching $121 million by its conclusion in 2027.

The decision to privatize immigrant tracking has drawn criticism from Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat from Illinois, who expressed concerns over potential abuses and a lack of transparency. This contract highlights a trend of vertical integration within GEO Group, which has expanded its operations in the immigration detention sector during the Trump administration. The company stands to benefit from federal funds for both locating immigrants and detaining them.

Following Donald Trump's 2024 election victory, shares of GEO Group increased, buoyed by the administration's allocation of $45 billion for immigrant detention. GEO Group's CEO, J. David Donahue, indicated that the company is strategically positioned to capitalize on this funding opportunity. However, GEO Group has faced longstanding allegations regarding the management of its facilities and the treatment of inmates, including a recent incident involving the suicide of a Chinese immigrant in a GEO-operated facility, prompting the American Civil Liberties Union to file a complaint regarding medical neglect.

ICE's contract with BI does not specify whether the company will provide direct bounty hunting services or rely on software-based tracking methods. BI has a history of government contracts for monitoring immigrants, including the provision of GPS tracking devices. ICE's contracting documents indicate that vendors are expected to utilize their own internal tools for skip tracing, granting them considerable discretion in the surveillance methods employed. Additionally, ICE has contracted with AI Solutions 87, a company specializing in artificial intelligence for rapid target tracking, further illustrating the increasing reliance on technology in immigration enforcement.

In a related development, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that ICE conducted a series of arrests targeting illegal immigrants with criminal records, described as a timely effort to enhance public safety during the holiday season. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated that these individuals, labeled as some of the 'worst of the worst,' pose a significant threat to community safety. Among those arrested were individuals from various countries, including Chile, Colombia, Mexico, El Salvador, and Honduras, all of whom had prior convictions.

The enforcement actions have also led to the deportation of families, as seen in the case of a father and his six-year-old son, Yuanxin Zheng, who were deported to China after being separated by ICE officials in New York City. Community activist Jennie Spector highlighted the tragic circumstances of the family's situation, emphasizing the emotional toll of immigration enforcement policies on families seeking better lives.

These developments reflect ongoing concerns about the implications of aggressive immigration enforcement strategies, particularly regarding the treatment of vulnerable populations and the increasing privatization of surveillance and detention practices.