Participant Enrollment

Adults 18 years of age or older who are released from DHS custody, and who are generally in removal proceedings or subject to a final order of removal, may be eligible for enrollment in ICE’s ATD-ISAP programs. Participants are thoroughly vetted by officers before enrollment. Officers review several factors when making enrollment determinations, including:

• Criminal, immigration and supervision history
• Family and/or community ties
• Status as a caregiver or provider
• Humanitarian or medical considerations

Cost Effectiveness

The daily cost per ATD-ISAP participant is less than $4.20 per day — a stark contrast from the cost of detention, which is around $152 per day.

ISAP Transition

Each alien enrolled in ATD-ISAP receives an individualized determination as to their level of supervision. ERO may transition an alien’s supervision level by considering certain factors. Factors considered in both initial placement and changes to supervision level, as relevant, include criminal history, compliance history, community or family ties, caregiver concerns, and other humanitarian or medical concerns.

Technology Types

ATD-ISAP uses three different types of technology to ensure compliance with release conditions: telephonic reporting, body-worn Global Positioning System (GPS) monitoring, and SmartLINK.

Telephonic Reporting uses a participant’s voice to create a biometric voiceprint during the enrollment process. When the participant has a check-in call, their voice is compared to the voiceprint.

Body-Worn GPS monitoring of a participant’s location and movement history using satellite technology through an ankle bracelet or wrist-worn device. The wrist-worn device also has software enabling facial matching, direct messaging, and push notifications.

SmartLINK Mobile Application enables participant monitoring via smart device using biometric facial comparison technology to establish identity. SmartLINK also includes a database of community resources, the ability to upload documents, participant location confirmation during check-in, and a mechanism to easily communicate with ICE or BI, Inc.; and SmartLINK is an application that utilizes several technologies. It uses facial matching technology by comparing a selfie to a set of photos taken during program enrollment to ensure identity verification. Simultaneously, SmartLINK may obtain a single GPS point to monitor participant compliance at the time of a login or scheduled check-in. SmartLINK also provides virtual case management support, notification reminders, and direct communication with the case specialist. If an ATD-ISAP participant does not have a personally owned mobile phone at the time of ATD-ISAP enrollment, the participant will be issued a device capable solely of running the SmartLINK application. SmartLINK devices must be returned upon the participant’s re-assignment to a different level of supervision or completion of the ATD-ISAP program when the alien acquires their own personally-owned phone, the SmartLINK application can be loaded onto that device. SmartLINK is intended for the sole purpose of providing immigration compliance and case management services to ATD-ISAP participants. The application does not access personal data on a personally-owned phone such as call logs or history, contact information, text messages made outside of the SmartLINK application, or location data outside of single data points gathered through the application at login or pre-scheduled check-in times.

SmartLINK technology also allows for push notifications and reminders for upcoming appointments. This is particularly useful for court hearing reminders and office visit reminders. The participants can also search through a database to find community service provider information in their area. If they are looking for information on where to find a food bank, clothing, or other community services, the participant may search through their phone or tablet rather than or in addition to contacting a case specialist. SmartLINK also allows participants to upload and send documents to case specialists. Officers, case specialists, and participants may directly message each other.

The majority of ATD-ISAP participants are assigned to either the SmartLINK application on their own personal cell phone or to a SmartLINK Mobile device. As of September 2024, less than 10% of ATD-ISAP participants have been assigned a body worn device.

Case Management

ICE offers case management options in the ATD-ISAP program. ICE verifies that addresses provided are valid, conducts physical home visits, virtual check-ins, and maintains sponsor information in the event a participant cannot be contacted directly. ICE requires check-ins, and alerts are sent automatically to the case specialist or the officer who is monitoring the case if check-ins are missed; alerts are reviewed and addressed daily.

In addition, as part of the ATD-ISAP services available to participants, ICE ERO operates the Extended Case Management Services (ECMS) program, designed for participants who have significant challenges and would benefit from more intensive case management support than is traditionally provided by the ATD-ISAP program. All ECMS participants have access to all the same services available under the contract, but they have the benefit of more case special interactions to help meet more pressing needs of the participant. ECMS is intended to stabilize the participant more rapidly and then to reduce interactions to a more traditional ATD - ISAP frequency.

Statistics

View ATD Statistics

Contact ICE about a case

If you are an ATD participant and have questions or concerns, please contact the Detention and Reporting Information Line at 1-888-351-4024.