Velázquez Leads Push to End Federal Funding for Private Immigration Detention Facilities

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (D-NY) led five colleagues in a letter urging the House Appropriations Committee requesting an end to federal funding for the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) use of private prison facilities. The lawmakers also called for a ban on transferring phased-out Department of Justice prison contracts to ICE for immigration enforcement.

"During the first Trump administration, privately-operated ICE facilities were used extensively and grew despite substandard conditions and problematic contracting practices documented by Congress, government oversight bodies, NGO's and the media," wrote the lawmakers. "More must be done to ensure that those without a voice, namely undocumented immigrants, are not subjected to dehumanizing or perilous conditions."

During President Trump's second term, the administration has expanded the immigration detention system through billion-dollar contracts with private prison companies such as GEO Group and CoreCivic. These efforts include the possible reopening of closed or phased-out facilities across at least eight states, many with documented records of abuse and neglect.

The lawmakers raised concerns about the absence of accountability in private detention centers. Unlike government-run prisons, these facilities often operate with little or no independent oversight.

"We know that private facilities have had staff falsify records, failed to adequately supervise detainees and provided improper medical care," wrote the lawmakers. "Moreover, unlike state-run prisons or local jails that are subject to established oversight mechanisms, privately operated ICE detention centers operate largely without state inspections or regulatory oversight."

The letter calls for specific bill language in the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations package to prohibit DHS from using or entering private detention contracts for immigration purposes.

The letter was signed by Rep. Holmes Norton (D-DC), Rep. Smith (D-WA), Rep. Beyer Jr. (D-VA), Rep. Carson (D-IN), and Rep. Rivas (D-CA).

The letter can be found here.

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