The Profitable World of Immigrant Detention
David Gomez’s experience with the U.S. immigration system highlights the complexities of a detention framework largely operated by for-profit companies. Arrested by immigration officials in New Jersey last year, Gomez found himself distanced from his home for six long months, racking up costs exceeding $5,000, excluding attorney fees. “To these people, you’re just a dollar sign,” the 37-year-old remarked. This sentiment underscores how the detention system treats individuals as both prisoners and customers, amidst President Trump’s aggressive immigration policies.
While the visibility of undercover U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents has increased during the Trump administration, the operational aspects of detention and deportation are predominantly managed through a network of private contractors. Detainees are often transported via chartered flights to facilities owned by publicly traded companies, where meals are sourced from subsidiaries of major investment firms. Alarmingly, around 90% of ICE detainees are held in commercial facilities, suggesting a significant reliance on private incarceration.
The funding for this expansive system is substantial, including up to $45 billion designated to boost ICE detention capacity as part of Trump’s mass deportation agenda. Critics contend that such financial backing has only reinforced an industry already rife with complaints regarding its treatment of detainees. Recent hunger strikes at several facilities have brought attention to issues like poor food quality, inadequate wages, and lack of basic amenities.
Gomez’s Arrest and Detention Journey
Originally from Colombia, Gomez was apprehended in March 2025 during a routine ICE inspection. Not fitting the profile of a typical criminal, he is a college graduate and dedicated father who has worked at the Prudential Center, home to the New Jersey Devils, for a decade. Following his arrest, Gomez was relocated to a detention center in Elizabeth, New Jersey, where he remained in a facility that has seen better days.
The Elizabeth Contract Detention Facility, repurposed from a warehouse, was among the first wave of privately operated immigrant detention centers established in the late 1980s. Historically, U.S. policy had sought to minimize the number of detained immigrants until a shift occurred during the Reagan administration, which marked the rise of private prisons to address increasing incarceration needs. As a consequence, the influx of asylum seekers from the Caribbean and Central America also prompted the federal government to seek private sector solutions.
Transporting Detainees: The Airline Aspect
After a week in Elizabeth, Gomez was shackled and taken to Newark Airport, where he boarded a chartered flight operated by Global Crossing Airlines. This Miami-based airline has secured a $64 million contract for ICE flight services in 2024, enabling it to conduct a considerable number of the agency’s domestic flights. The reliance on private contractors for detainee transportation increased notably during the Obama administration, and has continued under subsequent administrations.
Currently, ICE has allocated a staggering $748 million for this year’s transportation operations. Most of these flights involve moving detainees significant distances, leading to disruptions in access to legal representation and family communication. Critics argue that this strategy complicates the legal battles detainees face, depriving them of resources essential for navigating an already challenging process.
Conditions in Detention Centers
The Torrance County facility, where Gomez was eventually taken, is also under the management of CoreCivic. Originally built as a prison in 1990, this location has faced scrutiny similar to other private detention centers, particularly regarding allegations of poor living conditions. Occupancy rates in the private prison sector have dwindled in recent years, and concerns about operational standards have intensified amid activism and legislative scrutiny.
President Biden restricted new contracts with major private prison companies early in his term, a move that contrasted sharply with Trump’s plans to scale ICE’s capacity. Despite these challenges, ICE now constitutes a significant revenue source for private prison corporations. Testimonies from former detainees like Gomez paint a grim picture of life inside these facilities, revealing systemic issues such as inadequate sanitation and insufficient resources.
Nutritional and Financial Strain on Detainees
Inside ICE detention facilities, complaints about food quality are common, with many detainees reporting they were served nutritionally deficient and sometimes spoiled meals. Companies like Aramark provide meal services on tight budgets, which critics argue promotes a model of “bad food” as a profit strategy. Such contracts are often designed to minimize costs, resulting in meals lacking essential nutrients.
Detainees frequently resort to purchasing supplementary food items from commissaries, where prices soar as much as seven times their market value outside the centers. Gomez reported spending roughly $6 on a can of tuna while in custody, as he had to prioritize protein intake. Over the six months of his detention, he expended around $3,000 on basic supplies and an additional $2,000 on communication expenses linked to staying in touch with family and legal support.
Economic Implications of Detention Policies
Ultimately, after five months in the Torrance facility, a judge cleared Gomez for release, citing his status as a lawful permanent resident. Following his return to New Jersey, where he hopes to resume his life and await his citizenship exam, the stock performances of CoreCivic and GEO Group demonstrated volatility, reflecting the uncertain climate surrounding immigration enforcement. Following Trump’s reelection in 2024, shares in these companies surged by over 80%, only to experience a downturn with a subsequent reduction in ICE arrest numbers.
As CoreCivic’s executives express confidence in rebounding profits, the ongoing discourse surrounding immigration policies continues to emphasize the interplay between profit motives and the humanitarian implications of the private detention industry.
