Electronic monitoring ankle bracelets have been used to monitor paroled convicts in the U.S. for years. Now these black, plastic monitors the size of a cigarette box are being strapped onto U.S. immigrants.

A Department of Homeland Security pilot program has wired more than 1,700 asylum seekers and other immigrants awaiting hearings with the devices. If they like the program, many more immigrants could be wired and monitored.

The government says it needs to use EMDs to keep non-citizens in their sights, especially when the country’s security could be at stake. But immigrant advocates describe the electronic shackles as a super-invasive step, an offense to the American ideal of liberty, and a frightening example of the turn official attitudes towards immigrants have taken.

Hear about the debate over head-turning new measures to keep track of immigrants and asylum seekers in America.

Guests:

Daniel Zwerdling, correspondent for National Public Radio;

Cheryl Little, executive director of the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center;

Lory Rosenberg, former member of Board of Immigration Appeals, 1995-2002;

Jan Ting, professor at Temple University Law School, former INS assistant commissioner 1990-1993