Trump Expands Immigration Detention, Reopens Facilities Across Eight States

The Trump administration is rapidly expanding immigration detention by entering into billion-dollar contracts with private prison companies, such as GEO Group and CoreCivic, to reopen several facilities across the U.S. Notably, ICE plans to reopen Delaney Hall in Newark, New Jersey, as the largest detention center on the East Coast, and the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, which can house up to 2,400 detainees, including children. This expansion is part of Trump's goal to facilitate what he describes as the 'largest deportation operation in American history.' Critics argue that this approach misallocates funds that could be better spent on healthcare and education, especially as many detainees do not have criminal records. In Illinois, existing laws now prohibit immigration detention, complicating Trump's plans in that state. As the government seeks to bolster detention capabilities, the issue has sparked debate over the ethical implications and community impacts of such policies.