The passage of a tax and spending bill by Congress will triple federal funding for immigrant detention centers, sparking concerns about the treatment of detainees. The new funding will more than double the nation’s detention capacity to 100,000 beds.
The increase in funding is part of a larger border immigration agenda, with lawmakers claiming it will make communities safer. However, immigrant rights advocates argue that private contractors like Geo Group and CoreCivic are failing to provide safe accommodations and adequate medical care to detainees.
Data shows that ICE has already arrested people without prior charges at a higher rate than those charged with crimes. Critics also point out that ICE’s detention population is changing, with about one-third of detainees having never been charged with a crime.
The government plans to award new contracts to more vendors, including companies that house immigrants in makeshift tent structures. While some argue these facilities offer flexibility, others raise concerns about living conditions and access to basic necessities like food, water, and medical care.
In recent weeks, detainees have complained of inadequate food and water at Geo-owned facilities. CoreCivic has faced similar criticism for its treatment of detainees, with reports of residents without drinking water or flushing toilets for days.
The passage of the spending bill has been met with skepticism by immigrant advocates, who fear it will only exacerbate existing problems in the detention system.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/07/04/trump-bill-ice-immigrant-detention