Records obtained by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have unveiled that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is considering proposals to expand immigration detention capacity in Nevada. The documents were acquired through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit filed by the ACLU in September.
The proposals, submitted by private prison corporations GEO Group, CoreCivic, and MTC Corporation, aim to increase detention capacity across the country. Some facilities involved have been criticized for abusive conditions, including the Nevada Southern Detention Center in Pahrump, which faced a federal investigation for issues such as medical negligence and racial discrimination.
Despite Nevada’s previous move away from private prisons, the federal immigration detention system continues to rely heavily on these corporations. Athar Haseebullah, executive director of ACLU of Nevada, expressed concerns about ICE’s plans:
“The ACLU’s investigation into ICE’s plans reveals a dangerous push to expand immigration detention facilities across the country, including here in Nevada. Expanding ICE presence in Nevada will tear families apart, erode trust in law enforcement, and make Nevada less safe. If the Trump administration’s approach to immigration is effectuated as described, it would wreck Nevada’s economy.”
Haseebullah emphasized the need for state and local officials to take action: “ACLU of Nevada will challenge mass deportation efforts in Nevada as they unfold, but it’s more important than ever for our state and local elected officials to step up for Nevada families and communities. Tweets aren’t enough, and we can’t allow Nevada to become a breeding ground for bigotry as the for-profit prison industrial complex lines its own pockets.”
He called for transparency from Governor Lombardo: “We need transparency and action, and that starts with Governor Lombardo speaking openly to the public and the media to discuss his administration’s plans to cooperate with the Trump Administration on mass deportations.”
A copy of the FOIA records has been attached.
