In an alarming turn of events, Zsolt Zsolyomi, a 25-year-old Hungarian national, has been charged with multiple murders in Miami-Dade County. What’s particularly shocking is that Zsolyomi disabled his ankle monitor before committing these heinous acts. According to WSVN, the surveillance video showed him entering the apartment of 66-year-old Carlos Alonso Villaquiran on November 1. Just weeks later, Villaquiran was found dead in his bathtub, having suffered strangulation at the hands of Zsolyomi.
Just two months later, Zsolyomi allegedly took the life of another man in Miami. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) made it clear that he should not have been free to roam the streets. The agency stated he was in the U.S. illegally and facing deportation. After an arrest for strong-arm robbery in July 2024, he was given an ankle monitor while at the Krome Detention Center in West Miami-Dade. In September, rather than being secured, he was processed and released with only a GPS monitor. Unfortunately, he tampered with the device and vanished. While considered a fugitive, he was seen enjoying Halloween festivities and reportedly abusing his partner prior to the murders.
Concerns About Alternatives to Detention
The situation surrounding Zsolyomi raises questions about the effectiveness of alternatives to detention (ATD), especially the use of ankle monitors. Advocates for reform argue that while electronic monitoring devices, like ankle monitors, may seem like sensible alternatives to incarceration, they come with their own set of problems. Highlighting these concerns, the Immigration Forum points out that ankle monitors can impose severe restrictions on freedom of movement and carry psychological burdens. They may cause physical discomfort, and their presence can lead to social stigma, making it challenging for individuals to reintegrate into society.
In 2018, over 38,000 immigrants were fitted with ankle monitors as part of ICE’s Intensive Supervision of Appearance Program (ISAP), making up 45% of those involved in ATD programs. While these alternatives cost significantly less than detention—sometimes as low as $4.50 per day compared to over $200 daily for full detention—they still leave much to be desired in terms of humane treatment. Following high-profile family separations at the border, ATDs gained traction as potential solutions to prevent indefinite detention, especially for families with young children.
Digital Cages: A Reality for Many
The term „digital cages“ has become a point of contention among those studying the implications of monitoring technologies. Sarah Sherman-Stokes, an expert on immigrant rights at Boston University, emphasizes the burdens that come along with these tracking mechanisms. With over 300,000 migrants currently monitored through ICE’s ATD program, the psychological toll is significant. Many individuals live in constant fear due to the stringent requirements and the feeling of being under surveillance. According to Sherman-Stokes, these technologies can be retraumatizing for asylum seekers who have already fled violence and oppression in their home countries. Her work indicates that conditions under electronic monitoring can lead to serious psychological distress and physical pain for many.
As Zsolyomi’s trial approaches, scheduled for September, it is clear that the discussion surrounding immigration enforcement and the use of electronic monitoring is far from settled. The chilling reality of murder amidst a backdrop of ineffective monitoring raises the question: Are we doing enough to protect our communities? Perhaps there’s something to be said for reevaluating how we manage those within our immigration system.