ICE’s Smart Watch Monitoring of Migrants Raises Concerns for Pregnant Women and Healthcare Access
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A growing reliance on technology to monitor migrants awaiting immigration proceedings is sparking debate, with reports surfacing of potential harm to pregnant women and disruptions to healthcare delivery. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) currently coordinates strategies to monitor approximately 3,000 detainees daily, and among these strategies is the use of smart watches to track individuals around the clock.
Alternatives to Detention Program Expands Surveillance
The program, known as Alternatives to Detention (ATD), allows certain immigrants to remain at home during their legal processes, provided they adhere to intensive monitoring. This monitoring can take various forms, including customary ankle monitors and, more recently, smart watches manufactured by BI Inc.,a company specializing in electronic monitoring services for U.S. government agencies.
According to a statement from a former ICE official, Corey A. Price,these “wrist-worn GPS monitoring devices would complement ATD’s existing capabilities…in a less intrusive manner,which would improve the compliance of participants in the immigration process.” the VeriWatch smart watch, introduced two years ago, was initially tested in Denver under the Biden administration as a more discreet option to ankle monitors. These devices utilize software enabling facial identification, direct messaging, push notifications, and GPS location monitoring.
Healthcare Providers Report Alarming Cases
However, the implementation of this technology is not without its challenges.A recent report by The Guardian revealed that at least three pregnant women under the care of Colorado hospital staff expressed extreme reluctance to remove their tracking devices, fearing an immediate alert to ICE. “She was deeply afraid that ICE would come to the hospital and take her baby,” recounted one staff member.
The concerns extend beyond fear of apprehension. In one instance, a migrant was admitted to the emergency room requiring an emergency cesarean section and was diagnosed with preeclampsia, a dangerous complication impacting both mother and baby.Hospital staff worried the smartwatch coudl restrict circulation, exacerbating the medical crisis. “I was crying about it,” a staff member stated, echoing the patient’s fear of ICE intervention.
Delays in Care and Missed Appointments
The use of these GPS monitoring systems is also causing practical difficulties within the healthcare system. Healthcare professionals report that resolving issues related to the devices – even those deemed non-urgent – can cause important delays in providing appropriate care. One worker explained, “Waiting and trying to resolve these things, even when they are not of utmost urgency, it can cause something to happen.”
Furthermore, the hospital in colorado has observed that the monitoring program contributes to missed follow-up appointments. Staff noted at least three pregnant patients scheduled their first prenatal appointment between 34 and 38 weeks of gestation.
Why: ICE implemented the Alternatives to Detention (ATD) program, expanding surveillance through smart watches, aiming for a less intrusive monitoring method than ankle monitors and to improve compliance with immigration processes. However, this has led to unintended consequences for vulnerable populations, especially pregnant women.
Who: The key players are U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), BI Inc
