GEO Group secures contract for new immigration processing center in Michigan
- The GEO Group has entered into a contract to operate a federal immigration processing center in Baldwin, Michigan.
- This former correctional facility closed in 2022 and is set to generate significant annual revenues by offering various services.
- The establishment of this center highlights the ongoing trend of using private facilities for immigration enforcement amid rising deportations.
In Baldwin, Michigan, the GEO Group has finalized a contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to establish a federal immigration processing center at the former North Lake Correctional Facility. This move follows the facility's closure in 2022 when the federal government canceled contracts with for-profit prisons, marking a shift in the governmental approach to immigration enforcement. The GEO Group anticipates that this center will generate over $70 million in annual revenue, supporting its operations in providing various services such as security, food, medical care, and maintenance. Moreover, this facility is expected to address the growing need for additional immigrant detention space amid increased deportations by the Trump administration. George C. Zoley, Executive Chairman of GEO, expressed confidence in the facility’s role in supporting federal immigration efforts, reflecting a commitment to a long-standing partnership with ICE. As the U.S. grapples with rising numbers of illegal immigrants, the establishment of this processing center signifies a significant development in the immigration enforcement landscape, demonstrating an ongoing trend towards privatized immigration detention services.