Private Prison Companies Report Increased Revenue Amid Rising Immigration Detentions

Why it matters locally: New Jersey has an immigrant population of over 2.2 million, and changes in federal immigration detention policies and capacities could indirectly affect families and communities within the state, though no specific private detention facilities are highlighted in the state.

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Private prison companies have reported significant financial figures. One company, CoreCivic, stated its operations generated more than $1.4 billion in revenue. In addition to operational revenue, CoreCivic recorded an extra $1.6 billion from the sale of four of its facilities. The Department of Homeland Security acquired these properties from the company. This financial reporting emerges as immigration detention numbers have increased throughout the United States. The CoreCivic, Inc. California City Immigration Processing Center in California City, California, is one such facility. The center, located in the Kern County desert, awaits reopening as a federal immigrant detention facility under a contract with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).