Firms rush to sell ICE detention centers before Democrats take power
The gist
CoreCivic and GEO are rushing to sell more detention centers to ICE before Democrats take Congress.
Federal ownership would put the buildings beyond some state laws.
How it unfolded
- 2025Congress gave DHS $31 billion for immigration detention, available through fiscal year 2029.
- 2026Congress gave DHS $45 billion for immigration detention, available through fiscal year 2029.
- Oct 2, 2026GEO sold its Adelanto, Calif., detention complex to ICE for $950 million, or about $705 million after taxes and fees, per an SEC filing.
Key terms
- ICE
- Federal law enforcement agency under the Department of Homeland Security that enforces immigration and customs laws.
- DHS
- U.S. federal executive department responsible for public security, including anti-terrorism, immigration, border control, and cybersecurity.
- federal supremacy
- The constitutional principle that federal law, the Constitution, and treaties override conflicting state laws.
Source: Wikipedia