Skip to main content

ICE Plans to Expand “Alternatives to Detention” Program

  1. Original Date Announced

    May 19, 2019

    ICE plans to add more than 20,000 spaces to its Intensive Supervision Appearance Program, part of the ‘Alternatives to Detention’ system for immigrants awaiting hearings. The expansion, from 99,500 places in FY19 to a projected 120,000, was made known by a request for proposals posted on a government website seeking bids for contractors to provide services such as GPS monitoring and in-person case management for adults in immigration proceedings. [ID #407]

    ICE Request: Intensive Supervision Appearance Program IV (ISAP IV) Support Services
  2.  
  3. Biden Administration Action: Approved/Retained

    April 24, 2023

    2023.04.24 ICE Begins Testing Wrist-Worn GPS Monitoring Technology

    This Biden administration policy continues the Trump-era policy identified in this entry.

    On April 24, 2023, ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) began limited testing of a wrist-worn GPS monitoring device as part of ongoing efforts to provide additional technology in the Alternatives to Detention (ATD) suite of options. The technology demonstration will begin with a limited deployment in Denver to test feasibility in an operational setting.

    View Document
  4. Biden Administration Action: Approved/Retained

    May 10, 2023

    2023.05.10 ICE announces new process for placing family units in expedited removal

    This Biden administration policy continues the Trump-era policy identified in this entry.

    On May 10, 2023, ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) announced a process for family units apprehended at the Southwest Border who are processed for expedited removal and indicate an intention to apply for asylum or express a fear of persecution or torture. Family Expedited Removal Management (FERM) will place certain heads of household for family units on Alternatives to Detention (ATD) technology — a GPS ankle monitor — for continuous monitoring and make them subject to a curfew.

    Americans for Immigrant Justice reported that FERM is currently being implemented in Chicago, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Newark, Denver, and Minneapolis.

    View Document
  5. Biden Administration Action: Modified

    August 3, 2023

    Statement regarding the Family Expedited Removal Management Program

    On August 3, 2023, ICE announced that DHS is expanding Family Expedited Removal Management (FERM) to "cities across the country." The program initially began in four cities in spring 2023 and has been quickly scaled up by DHS.

    Stakeholders report the following cities enrolled as of August 24, 2023: Baltimore, Chicago, Denver, Newark, St. Paul, Washington, D.C., Houston, New Orleans, Boston, Providence, San Francisco, San Jose, San Diego, Nashville, Seattle, Portland, Philadelphia, San Bernadino, Las Vegas, Marlton, NJ, Sacramento, San Antonio, and Los Angeles.

    On August 25th, 2023, FERM further expands to Manassas, VA; Charlotte, NC; Phoenix, Silver Spring, and King of Prussia, PA.

    View Document

Current Status

Fully in Effect

Most Recent Action

August 3, 2023 Action: Modified Statement regarding the Family Expedited Removal Management Program
April 24, 2023
Acted on by Biden Administration
May 10, 2023
Acted on by Biden Administration
August 3, 2023
Acted on by Biden Administration

Original Trump Policy Status

Status: Final/Actual
Trump Administration Action: Change in Practice
Subject Matter: Detention Interior
Agencies Affected: ICE

Pre Trump-Era Policies

  • May 19, 2019

    The Trump administration's FY 2020 Budget Request includes 99,500 places for the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program.

    FY 2020 Budget in Brief

Commentary

  • Yahoo News: ICE seeks to expand monitoring program for immigrants as alternative to detention

    The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency is planning to add more than 20,000 spaces to its Intensive Supervision Appearance Program, part of the “Alternative to Detention” system for immigrants awaiting hearings. The expansion, from 99,500 places in the current fiscal year to a projected 120,000, was not formally announced by ICE, but a request for proposals was posted on a government website, seeking bids for contractors to provide services such as GPS monitoring and in-person case management for qualifying adults in the process of immigration proceedings.

    Go to article

We require registration to leave feedback. You may either:

  • Sign in with your current user name and password.

  • Register if you don't have a user name and password.