Private Prison Giants Profit as Trump Revives Family Detention

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has begun detaining migrant parents and children in Texas, signaling a sharp pivot from the policies of the previous administration. The effort involves refitting notorious facilities, including the detention center in Dilley, Texas, which has faced long-standing allegations of negligent medical care and poor living conditions. Critics recall the 2018 death of a 19-month-old girl who had been held at the site, labeling the move a moral failure that prioritizes incarceration over humanitarian alternatives.

While advocates describe the policy as a deliberate act of cruelty, the industry response has been markedly different. Executives at CoreCivic and the GEO Group have signaled to investors that the current climate is exceptionally favorable for business. Financial disclosures reveal that a GEO Group subsidiary recently contributed over $2 million to Republican PACs supporting the administration’s allies, even as the government accelerates new contract procurements. Senator Jeff Merkley, who previously inspected the Dilley facility, described the conditions as horrifying and urged the administration to reverse course immediately.