Billion-Dollar Business of Undocumented Immigrants in the U.S.

Private detention centers for undocumented immigrants in the United States have become a booming business. President Donald Trump’s strict immigration policies have accelerated the growth of this industry, allowing companies to earn millions in profits and see significant increases in their stock values.

According to German-based media outlet Deutsche Welle, despite substantial government funding, conditions inside these private detention centers remain inhumane. Critics argue that in pursuit of higher profits, these companies are violating the basic rights of detainees.

The Trump administration aims to deport nearly one million undocumented immigrants annually. To achieve this, $170 billion has been allocated for immigration programs, with an additional $45 billion dedicated to expanding detention centers and $75 billion set aside for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over four years.

Currently, over 200 centers hold approximately 60,000 immigrants and criminals under the care of private companies. Experts say the industry has expanded rapidly since the implementation of Trump’s immigration policies.

Companies like CoreCivic and GEO Group have seen sudden spikes in their stock prices. CoreCivic’s revenue grew 17% year-over-year to approximately $177 million, while GEO Group recovered from a $32.5 million loss last year to nearly $30 million in profit this year.

Despite these financial gains and federal funding, the centers reportedly fail to provide adequate medical care, food, and safety for detainees. Critics warn that the companies’ focus on profit continues to compromise detainees’ basic human rights.