Recent protests at Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark, N.J. have highlighted the tense atmosphere surrounding immigrant detention centers. In response to allegations of poor conditions, federal immigration officers have sometimes used pepper spray and tear gas on demonstrators.
Silky Shah, who leads the nonprofit Detention Watch Network, monitors conditions in these facilities. Shah emphasizes the severity of the hidden issues, such as poor food quality and medical neglect. According to her, these problems are widespread, not confined to Delaney Hall alone.
“What’s happening behind closed doors is that much more horrifying,” Shah says. “This is not unique to Delaney Hall. That is happening everywhere.”
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the private prison contractor GEO Group have denied these allegations, calling them politically motivated attempts to dismantle ICE. However, detainees across the U.S. have filed lawsuits over poor conditions at various centers. Approximately one-third of those in immigration detention are held in GEO Group-operated facilities.
The Role of Private Prisons
GEO Group, a significant player in this field, also runs state prisons, but half of its revenue comes from contracts with ICE. The company supports the mass deportation agenda by operating numerous detention facilities and providing related services.
GEO Group’s financial success is notable, with profits soaring to over $250 million in 2025, a massive increase from the previous year. This growth coincides with the surge in government demand for more detention beds.
Experts like Lauren-Brooke Eisen from the Brennan Center for Justice have long criticized the privatization of detention, arguing that it drives cost-cutting practices. Katherine Hawkins, a senior legal analyst, points out that the profit motive may compromise detainee welfare.
Despite these concerns, GEO Group claims its facilities comply with government standards, offering services like medical care and legal visits.
Accountability and Transparency Issues
Private prison companies are not subject to the same public records requirements as government-run facilities, reducing transparency. This lack of accountability raises concerns, especially when incidents such as deaths in detention occur.
There is an ongoing legal battle over access to detention centers; for example, New Jersey has sued GEO Group for more access to Delaney Hall. In Washington state, similar access issues persist. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin has stated that federal regulations make such access complicated.
The Influence of Private Prison Companies
Observers worry about the revolving door between ICE and private prison companies. Key figures frequently transition between these entities, blurring lines of accountability and influence.
Senator Elizabeth Warren recently raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, questioning whether new ICE acting director David Venturella will recuse himself from decisions involving GEO Group. DHS, however, maintains that Venturella abides by ethical requirements.
As DHS increasingly relies on private detention facilities, bolstered by federal funding while reducing oversight personnel, the consequences are mounting. Former ICE assistant director Scott Shuchart points out the alarming rise in deaths in detention this year.
These issues underscore the complexities and controversies surrounding private prisons and their role in immigration detention, sparking ongoing debate and calling for closer scrutiny.