How Private Prisons and U.S. Policies Criminalize Immigrant Communities

In today’s political and social climate, the connection between mass deportations and mass incarceration has never been more apparent. Private prison companies profit by locking up immigrant communities while U.S. policies continue to criminalize and marginalize these groups. In this post, we explore how the prison industrial complex has merged with immigration detention, examine the role of major players like GEO Group, and highlight the harsh realities faced by detained immigrants. We also call on our community to advocate for policies that protect rather than penalize those seeking a better life.

The Prison Industrial Complex & Immigration Detention

Private prison companies such as GEO Group and CoreCivic have built profitable business models by incarcerating immigrants. Nearly 80% of detained immigrants are held in privately run facilities, transforming the immigration detention system into a form of mass incarceration that disproportionately targets communities of color. This system not only undermines human dignity but also fuels a cycle of exploitation by prioritizing profit over people.

GEO Group’s Role in Mass Incarceration & Deportation

GEO Group is a leading example of how profit drives the detention of immigrants. The company receives millions in taxpayer dollars to operate detention centers and has expanded its facilities through lucrative contracts with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Notably:

  • After Donald Trump’s initial win in November 2016, GEO Group’s stock price surged by approximately 98%.
  • During Trump’s first term, the company’s revenue increased from $2.17 billion in 2016 to $2.35 billion in 2020.
  • Following Trump’s re-election in November 2024, GEO Group’s stock nearly doubled—jumping from $15.13 on Election Day to $29.13 in just over a month.
  • In fiscal year 2024 alone, ICE obligated about $747.4 million to GEO Group.
  • Over the past three years, GEO Group’s total government contract revenue has reached nearly $4.91 billion, averaging around $1.64 billion per year.

These figures underscore the significant financial dependence of GEO Group on federal contracts, demonstrating how the company’s profits are tied directly to policies that favor mass detention and deportation.

The Reality of Detention Centers

Behind the staggering financial numbers lie the human costs of a profit-driven system. Detention centers are notorious for their inhumane conditions, where detainees often face:

  • Medical Neglect, Abuse, and Overcrowding: Many facilities lack adequate healthcare and proper living conditions.
  • Family Separation: The forced separation of children from their parents has devastating psychological impacts.
  • Forced Labor: Some detained immigrants are subjected to forced labor, with reports of wages as low as $1 a day.

These conditions not only violate basic human rights but also inflict long-term trauma on individuals and families.

Over-Policing & Criminalization of Immigrants

The impact of these policies extends far beyond detention centers. Local law enforcement agencies are increasingly collaborating with ICE, turning routine stops into opportunities for deportation. Policies like “zero tolerance” further criminalize border crossings, resulting in disproportionately high rates of incarceration and deportation for Black and Brown immigrants. This over-policing deepens the cycle of marginalization and criminalization that many immigrant communities face daily.

The U.S. Created the Crises People Are Fleeing

A critical, yet often overlooked, aspect of this issue is the role of U.S. foreign policy. Decades of military interventions and economic exploitation in Central America and the Caribbean have destabilized entire regions, fueling violence, poverty, and insecurity. People are forced to flee conditions that the United States has, in many ways, helped create—only to encounter punitive measures on American soil. This tragic irony highlights the urgent need for a reevaluation of our policies and priorities.

Call to Action: Demand Change Now

The evidence is clear: the current system of mass deportations and mass incarceration is not only profitable for private prison companies like GEO Group but also deeply unjust and inhumane. It is time to:

  • End Private Immigration Detention: Stop profiting from the incarceration of human beings.
  • Cut Federal Contracts with Private Prison Operators: Challenge the financial incentives that drive these practices.
  • Advocate for Immigrant Rights: Demand policies that protect our communities and uphold human dignity instead of criminalizing them.

Join us at the Denver Justice Project as we work to dismantle this profit-driven system and build a more just and compassionate future for all.

Together, we can shine a light on the injustices at the intersection of immigration and incarceration, and work towards meaningful change. Share your thoughts, spread the word, and get involved in our ongoing efforts to protect immigrant rights and demand systemic reform.