A handheld digital pet for immigrants could be envisioned as a device or app that offers emotional support, connection, and assistance to people navigating the complex experience of migration, especially those who have grown up in or been impacted by detention centers. This digital pet could act as both a companion and a resource, helping users deal with feelings of isolation, stress, and uncertainty.

In terms of functionality, this pet could help users manage practical matters like documentation, visa statuses, or even navigating border controls. It could include features like reminders for appointments, emotional check-ins, and even gamified tasks related to legal processes. For people coming from detention centers, it could foster a sense of community by creating networks that allow users to connect with others who’ve shared similar experiences, forming new "families" of support and mutual understanding.

Given the connection to technology like ankle bracelet monitoring, this digital pet might also act as a bridge between invasive monitoring technologies and personal agency, offering the user some control over their digital and personal boundaries. It could even raise awareness of surveillance and assist in negotiating the complex terrain of living under monitoring systems while retaining dignity and privacy.

At its core, this technology would aim to humanize and soften the often harsh, bureaucratic, and isolating processes of migration, using a familiar and accessible format to bring together practical assistance, emotional support, and new community-building networks.