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American prison companies have detained unprecedented amounts of undocumented immigrants in exchange for massive profits, following a decade long lobbying effort which has influenced immigration policies at federal and state levels, according to a new report by the Associated Press.
The top three detention industry giants-- Corrections Corporation of America, The GEO Group, and Management and Training Corp. -- have spent at least $45 million combined on campaign donations and lobbyists at the state and federal level.
The federal government now has plans that include new facilities ready to house up to 400,000 immigrants detained annually, according to the Associated Press report. In return private companies earn billions of dollars to facilitate the detentions.
The cost to American taxpayers has reached up to $2 billion for this year; however, the companies are expecting even larger chunks of state and federal budgets in the next few years.
"It's a millionaire's business, and they are living off profits from each one of the people who go through there every single night," Pedro Guzman told the Associated Press, who experienced private detention centers first hand after being detained in 2009 after missing an appearance for an asylum application.
In 2005 alone the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's budget jumped from $3.5 billion to $4.7 billion -- coinciding with an unprecedented peak in corrections companies' lobbying efforts.
Associated Press found that within the last ten years, prison companies and their employees specifically gave to key congressional leaders who control how much money is allotted to private detention centers.
According to the Associated Press review, the top beneficiaries of prison company campaign contributions include:
The private prison companies, however have spent even more money on lobbying in Washington. Such lobbying efforts reached $5 million per year.
Likewise, a Huffington Post investigation recently exhibited the correlation between a growing numbers of federal inmates in private facilities, an increase in funding for detention bedspace, and prison industry payouts in Washington:
Trump and Musk are on an unconstitutional rampage, aiming for virtually every corner of the federal government. These two right-wing billionaires are targeting nurses, scientists, teachers, daycare providers, judges, veterans, air traffic controllers, and nuclear safety inspectors. No one is safe. The food stamps program, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are next. It’s an unprecedented disaster and a five-alarm fire, but there will be a reckoning. The people did not vote for this. The American people do not want this dystopian hellscape that hides behind claims of “efficiency.” Still, in reality, it is all a giveaway to corporate interests and the libertarian dreams of far-right oligarchs like Musk. Common Dreams is playing a vital role by reporting day and night on this orgy of corruption and greed, as well as what everyday people can do to organize and fight back. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover issues the corporate media never will, but we can only continue with our readers’ support. |
American prison companies have detained unprecedented amounts of undocumented immigrants in exchange for massive profits, following a decade long lobbying effort which has influenced immigration policies at federal and state levels, according to a new report by the Associated Press.
The top three detention industry giants-- Corrections Corporation of America, The GEO Group, and Management and Training Corp. -- have spent at least $45 million combined on campaign donations and lobbyists at the state and federal level.
The federal government now has plans that include new facilities ready to house up to 400,000 immigrants detained annually, according to the Associated Press report. In return private companies earn billions of dollars to facilitate the detentions.
The cost to American taxpayers has reached up to $2 billion for this year; however, the companies are expecting even larger chunks of state and federal budgets in the next few years.
"It's a millionaire's business, and they are living off profits from each one of the people who go through there every single night," Pedro Guzman told the Associated Press, who experienced private detention centers first hand after being detained in 2009 after missing an appearance for an asylum application.
In 2005 alone the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's budget jumped from $3.5 billion to $4.7 billion -- coinciding with an unprecedented peak in corrections companies' lobbying efforts.
Associated Press found that within the last ten years, prison companies and their employees specifically gave to key congressional leaders who control how much money is allotted to private detention centers.
According to the Associated Press review, the top beneficiaries of prison company campaign contributions include:
The private prison companies, however have spent even more money on lobbying in Washington. Such lobbying efforts reached $5 million per year.
Likewise, a Huffington Post investigation recently exhibited the correlation between a growing numbers of federal inmates in private facilities, an increase in funding for detention bedspace, and prison industry payouts in Washington:
American prison companies have detained unprecedented amounts of undocumented immigrants in exchange for massive profits, following a decade long lobbying effort which has influenced immigration policies at federal and state levels, according to a new report by the Associated Press.
The top three detention industry giants-- Corrections Corporation of America, The GEO Group, and Management and Training Corp. -- have spent at least $45 million combined on campaign donations and lobbyists at the state and federal level.
The federal government now has plans that include new facilities ready to house up to 400,000 immigrants detained annually, according to the Associated Press report. In return private companies earn billions of dollars to facilitate the detentions.
The cost to American taxpayers has reached up to $2 billion for this year; however, the companies are expecting even larger chunks of state and federal budgets in the next few years.
"It's a millionaire's business, and they are living off profits from each one of the people who go through there every single night," Pedro Guzman told the Associated Press, who experienced private detention centers first hand after being detained in 2009 after missing an appearance for an asylum application.
In 2005 alone the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's budget jumped from $3.5 billion to $4.7 billion -- coinciding with an unprecedented peak in corrections companies' lobbying efforts.
Associated Press found that within the last ten years, prison companies and their employees specifically gave to key congressional leaders who control how much money is allotted to private detention centers.
According to the Associated Press review, the top beneficiaries of prison company campaign contributions include:
The private prison companies, however have spent even more money on lobbying in Washington. Such lobbying efforts reached $5 million per year.
Likewise, a Huffington Post investigation recently exhibited the correlation between a growing numbers of federal inmates in private facilities, an increase in funding for detention bedspace, and prison industry payouts in Washington: