Washington, Apr 24 (EFE).- The Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service (ICE) announced Monday that it has begun a limited test with the use of a device that is used as a bracelet and allows the location of undocumented immigrants.
This test is part of the agency’s efforts to use additional technologies to serve as an alternative to detaining immigrants while they await their appointment for an immigration court hearing.
Testing of the technology will be limited to Denver, Colorado to assess feasibility in an actual operations context.
The agency noted its commitment “to continually develop and modernize tools and technologies that improve the way removal agents enforce immigration laws,” said Corey Price, deputy director of the removals office at ICE.
“These global positioning system surveillance devices on a wrist-worn device will complement alternative-to-detention capabilities for qualifying aliens in a less intrusive manner,” the official added.
As explained by ICE, the bracelet uses technology similar to “smart watches” that are for sale to general consumers, but cannot be used for any function beyond compliance with immigration-related activities.
Undocumented immigrants who qualify for alternatives to detention are those who have been evaluated to determine that they do not pose a risk to public safety, and are subject to various levels of verification of their whereabouts and other conditions.
ICE has indicated that alternatives to detention contribute to increased court appearance rates, as well as compliance with probation conditions and their obligations as immigrants.
Immigrants who fail to appear at the hearing or otherwise fail to comply with the conditions of their probation are subject to arrest and, potentially, deportation.
