As immigration enforcement ramps up across the United States, private prison corporations are preparing for a massive, highly profitable expansion—backed by billions in government contracts. While headlines often focus on border crossings and policy debates, what’s happening behind the scenes reveals a concerning trend: a booming detention-for-profit industry with staggering implications for human rights and public accountability.
At the heart of this surge are GEO Group and CoreCivic, two of the country’s largest private prison operators. These companies are raking in billions in taxpayer dollars as they expand their reach across the U.S., including in New Jersey, by capitalizing on a government agenda aimed at the mass detention and deportation of undocumented immigrants.
Record-Breaking Revenues, Government-Backed Profits
Private prison giants have reported double-digit increases in revenue this year, largely driven by expanded contracts with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). One such facility, Delaney Hall in Newark, stands as a stark example. It’s one of just two ICE detention centers in New Jersey, yet it’s projected to yield $60 million in profit in its first year alone. Over the 15-year duration of its government contract, this single facility could generate $1.2 billion in revenue.
This massive financial growth is underpinned by a significant congressional boost to ICE’s funding: a $170 billion injection for expanded detention operations, recruitment, and infrastructure. This figure—on top of existing appropriations—represents a once-in-a-generation windfall for private detention operators. According to industry insiders and financial analysts, this is not just a momentary bump but a foundational shift in the scale and scope of U.S. immigration detention.
Learn more about the systemic impact of private prisons and how we can act: Private Prisons – Sustainable Action Now
Non-Criminal Detainees and the Human Cost of Profits
Despite claims that detention efforts target criminals, the data tells a different story. According to ICE’s own recent reports, nearly 90% of those detained at Delaney Hall are non-criminals. Nationwide, that figure stands at 71%, based on research from Syracuse University’s TRAC project. Many detainees have no criminal records at all, or have only minor infractions like traffic violations.
This raises serious ethical questions about the human cost of profit-driven detention. In the words of Trump administration figure Tom Homan, so-called “collateral arrests” are simply the “price worth paying.” But for the individuals and families affected, that price is measured in months of confinement, lost livelihoods, and psychological trauma.
Expansion Beyond Brick-and-Mortar: GPS Tracking and Military Bases
The private prison industry isn’t just expanding facilities—it’s diversifying its detention methods. Companies like GEO Group and CoreCivic are exploring the use of military installations for new detention sites, such as Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in South Jersey. These bases, typically far from major population centers, offer the kind of isolation that makes oversight difficult and community resistance less effective.
But the expansion doesn’t stop there. These corporations are also investing in detainee transportation—by ground and air—and electronic monitoring technologies like GPS ankle bracelets. These alternatives to physical incarceration are being marketed as humane solutions, but in reality, they are often invasive, profit-driven tools of surveillance that further entrench the detention-industrial complex.
State Pushback and Legal Battles
Not all states are welcoming this expansion. New Jersey, for instance, has taken legislative steps to prevent the growth of ICE detention facilities within its borders. However, recent federal court decisions, including a Third Circuit ruling, have undercut those protections—paving the way for further facility construction and contract renewals.
Still, the more aggressive growth is likely to continue in states like Texas, Louisiana, and Florida, where legislatures and political leaders are more receptive to mass detention policies. Locations like “Alligator Alcatraz” in Florida and “Speedway Slammer” in Indiana illustrate how branding and secrecy can mask the true nature of these new facilities.
A Predictable Crisis—Fueled by Policy and Profit
This explosive growth isn’t a surprise—it’s exactly what was forecasted by campaign promises, political rhetoric, and legislative funding. With Trump’s administration aiming to deport over 1 million people in its first year, the infrastructure must be in place to detain, transport, and monitor that volume of individuals. And the private prison industry is seizing the moment.
But while investors and contractors celebrate, the human cost continues to rise. Immigrants—many with no criminal history—are caught in a system designed for profit, not justice. As billions of dollars flow to corporate detention operators, the need for public awareness and civic action has never been greater.
What Can You Do?
At Sustainable Action Now, we believe that mass incarceration for profit is a grave injustice—one that demands immediate action. We are committed to exposing the realities of private prisons and advocating for alternatives rooted in human rights, dignity, and transparency.
➡️ Learn more about the role private prisons play in mass incarceration and immigration enforcement, and discover how you can help us push for reform: Visit our Private Prisons Page
Sources:
- NJ Spotlight News
- Syracuse University TRAC Reports
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
- Federal court filings and contract data
