In April 2022, a Venezuelan migrant risked his life by crossing the powerful Rio Grande to reach the U.S. southern border. He was apprehended by Border Patrol in Del Rio, Texas, soaked and exhausted, but relieved to be safe after a months-long journey. Upon processing by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he was given a smartphone with an app called SmartLINK to monitor his location and confirm his identity through facial recognition. The migrant felt like a criminal carrying the phone everywhere and checking in weekly with photos, fearing repercussions if he lost or damaged it.
ICE launched SmartLINK in 2018 as part of its Alternatives to Detention program for low-risk migrants, costing $4 per person per day, significantly cheaper than detention costs. The app is used to monitor migrants while they await immigration court dates, which can last years. ICE has monitored nearly 780,000 migrants through SmartLINK, transitioning compliant individuals off the app after roughly 14 to 18 months. However, ICE faces challenges in reporting the app’s effectiveness due to the gap between migrants leaving the program and their cases being resolved.
Research professor Austin Kocher from Syracuse University has studied the effectiveness of SmartLINK, stating its success depends on its goals. While the app can ensure migrants attend court hearings, most are motivated to do so, with 99% compliance among those with legal representation. Migrants who fail to check in and respond to ICE through SmartLINK are considered absconders, with cases handed over to law enforcement for further action. ICE Assistant Director Tom Giles claims a low absconder rate under 10% for migrants on SmartLINK, emphasizing the app’s effectiveness in managing the non-detained population.
A Venezuelan migrant, now living near the U.S. Capitol, shared his journey and the challenges he faces in pursuing his “American dream.” Despite having his asylum claim dismissed, he hopes for Temporary Protected Status approval while dreaming of launching a restaurant business and calling Washington, D.C. his permanent home. He urges Congress to focus on creating better laws to address immigration challenges rather than opposing immigration. The migrant highlights the hopes and dreams of immigrants seeking a new life in the U.S. for themselves and their children, emphasizing the importance of a better future for all.
