Two Alabama Firms Awarded DHS Emergency Immigration Detention Contracts

Key Takeaways

• Two Alabama companies won DHS contracts for emergency immigration detention in early 2025 amid rising detainees.
• ICE holds nearly 40,000 detainees by January 2025, increasing demand for private and local jail contracts.
• The 287(g) program expanded in Alabama, enabling local officials to enforce immigration laws and detain more people.

Two Alabama Companies Secure DHS Contracts for Emergency Immigration Detention: What It Means for Immigrants, Local Communities, and U.S. Policy

In early 2025, two Alabama companies received contracts from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide “emergency” immigration detention services. This move comes as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a key agency within DHS, faces rising numbers of people in detention. By January 2025, ICE was holding nearly 40,000 people, a level not seen in several years. The contracts with Alabama companies reflect a larger trend: ICE is expanding its detention network by working with private prison companies and local jails, especially in states like Alabama.

This article explains what these new contracts mean, why they matter, and how they fit into the bigger picture of immigration detention in the United States 🇺🇸. We’ll look at the facts, the history, the people involved, and what might happen next.

Why Did ICE Award Emergency Detention Contracts in Alabama?

ICE awarded these contracts because the number of people in immigration detention has been growing quickly. By the end of the 2024 fiscal year, ICE was detaining over 37,000 people. Just a few months later, on January 12, 2025, that number had jumped to 39,703. This increase put pressure on ICE to find more space to hold people who are waiting for immigration court hearings or removal from the country.

To meet this need, ICE turned to Alabama companies with experience running detention facilities. These companies are now responsible for providing emergency detention services, which means they must be ready to house large numbers of people on short notice. This is not the first time ICE has relied on Alabama for detention space. In the past, the Etowah County Detention Center in Gadsden, Alabama, held many ICE detainees. However, that facility was closed in 2022 after reports of poor conditions, including violations of the Prison Rape Elimination Act and problems with medical care.

Despite the closure of Etowah, ICE continues to use other Alabama facilities and contractors. The new contracts show that ICE still sees Alabama as an important part of its detention system.

How Do These Contracts Fit into National Immigration Policy?

The contracts with Alabama companies are part of a larger pattern. ICE has been increasing its use of private companies and local jails to hold detainees. In March 2025, ICE signed a $1 billion, 15-year contract with the GEO Group, the largest private immigration jail contractor, to reopen a facility in Newark, New Jersey. This long-term deal shows that ICE is planning to keep detention levels high for years to come.

Another important policy is the Section 287(g) program. Under this program, ICE signs agreements with local law enforcement agencies, giving them some authority to enforce immigration laws. As of June 27, 2025, ICE had signed 737 of these agreements in 40 states, including Alabama. This means local police and sheriffs in Alabama can help ICE identify and detain people who may be in the country without legal status. The 287(g) program increases the number of people who end up in detention, which in turn creates more demand for contracts with companies and jails.

What Happened at the Etowah County Detention Center?

The Etowah County Detention Center played a big role in Alabama’s history with immigration detention. For years, it held hundreds of ICE detainees, many of whom were far from their families and lawyers. In 2022, ICE ended its contract with Etowah after reports of serious problems. Inspectors found violations of the Prison Rape Elimination Act, poor medical care, and other issues that put detainees at risk.

The closure was welcomed by groups like the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), which said it was a step toward better treatment for detainees. However, ICE did not stop using Alabama for detention. Instead, it shifted contracts to other companies and facilities in the state.

Who Are the Key Stakeholders?

Several groups are affected by these contracts and have strong opinions about them:

• ICE and DHS: These agencies say detention is necessary to enforce immigration laws and protect public safety. They argue that working with private companies and local jails helps them manage the large number of people in detention.
• Private Companies: Companies like the GEO Group and the two Alabama companies recently awarded contracts make money by running detention centers. They say they follow ICE standards and provide needed services.
• Local Officials and Sheriffs: Some local jails in Alabama have contracts with ICE. These deals can bring in money for rural counties, but they also raise questions about the treatment of detainees.
• Advocates and Activists: Many groups criticize the use of private detention centers. They point to reports of abuse, poor medical care, and the profit motive behind detention. The problems at Etowah County are often cited as examples of why the system needs reform.
• AILA (American Immigration Lawyers Association): This group welcomed the closure of Etowah but remains concerned about ongoing detention practices. They call for more releases and better legal protections for detainees.

How Does the Contracting Process Work?

The process for awarding ICE detention contracts usually follows these steps:

1. ICE identifies a need for more detention space based on current and expected numbers of detainees.
2. ICE issues requests for proposals (RFPs) or emergency contracts, asking companies or local jails to offer their services.
3. Companies and jails submit bids explaining how they will meet ICE’s needs and standards.
4. ICE awards contracts to those who can provide the needed space and services, often choosing based on cost, capacity, and past performance.
5. Detainees are transferred to these facilities while they wait for court hearings or removal.
6. Facilities must follow ICE standards for safety, medical care, and legal access. ICE and sometimes outside groups inspect the facilities.
7. Detainees are released or removed from the country depending on the outcome of their cases.

You can read more about ICE’s detention standards and oversight on the official ICE website.

What Are the Main Concerns About Detention in Alabama?

Detention centers in Alabama and other states have faced criticism for several reasons:

• Isolation from Family and Lawyers: Many facilities are in rural areas, far from where detainees’ families and lawyers live. This makes it hard for detainees to get legal help or stay in touch with loved ones.
• Poor Conditions: Reports from Etowah and other centers mention problems like overcrowding, lack of medical care, and unsafe environments. Some facilities have failed to meet federal standards, including those meant to prevent sexual abuse.
• COVID-19 Risks: During the pandemic, some detention centers did not provide enough protection against the virus, putting detainees and staff at risk.
• Profit Motive: Critics say that private companies have an incentive to cut costs, which can lead to worse conditions for detainees.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these issues are not unique to Alabama but are seen in detention centers across the United States 🇺🇸. The continued use of private companies and local jails raises questions about oversight and accountability.

What Do Experts and Advocates Say?

Experts on immigration policy point out that the rise in detention contracts, including emergency contracts in Alabama, is a policy choice. ICE could use alternatives to detention, such as community supervision, but has chosen to expand detention instead.

Human rights advocates argue that detention should be used only when absolutely necessary. They point to documented abuses and poor conditions in many centers and call for contracts to be ended and the system to be reformed.

ICE officials respond that detention is needed to enforce immigration laws and keep communities safe. They say that contracted facilities must meet strict standards and are regularly inspected.

Legal experts warn that expanding detention, especially in remote areas, makes it harder for detainees to get legal help. This can lead to unfair outcomes in immigration court and greater hardship for families.

How Does the 287(g) Program Affect Detention in Alabama?

The 287(g) program allows local police and sheriffs to help ICE enforce immigration laws. In Alabama, this means that more people can be identified for detention and removal. As of June 2025, ICE had signed 737 agreements with local agencies in 40 states.

Supporters of the program say it helps keep communities safe by removing people who have broken the law. Critics argue that it leads to racial profiling and increases the number of people held in detention, often for minor offenses.

The program’s expansion in Alabama means that local jails are more likely to be used for immigration detention, increasing the need for contracts with companies and counties.

What Is the History of Immigration Detention in Alabama?

Immigration detention in the United States 🇺🇸 has grown a lot since the 1990s. The Trump administration added many new contracts and increased the number of people in detention. Alabama has been part of this system for years, with facilities like Etowah County Detention Center playing a major role.

Private prison companies, especially the GEO Group, have become the main providers of detention space. Local jails in rural areas, including those in Alabama, also house detainees. These locations are often far from cities, making it harder for detainees to get legal help.

The Biden administration has kept detention levels high, even as it has made some policy changes. The new contracts with Alabama companies show that the government plans to keep using detention as a main tool for immigration enforcement.

What Might Happen Next?

Looking ahead, ICE is expected to keep expanding its use of private companies and local jails for detention. The rising number of detainees means more contracts are likely, including in Alabama.

At the same time, advocacy groups and lawyers will keep pushing for better conditions and alternatives to detention. Legal challenges and public pressure could lead to changes in how ICE uses detention, but for now, the trend is toward more contracts and higher detention numbers.

The 287(g) program’s growth in Alabama and other states will likely increase the number of people held in local jails for immigration reasons. This will make oversight and monitoring of detention conditions even more important.

What Should Immigrants, Families, and Advocates Do?

If you or someone you know is affected by immigration detention in Alabama, here are some steps you can take:

• Contact a lawyer: Legal help can make a big difference in immigration cases. The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) is a good place to start.
• Stay informed: Follow updates from advocacy groups like TRAC Immigration and the Immigrant Justice Network.
• Know your rights: Detainees have the right to medical care, legal visits, and safe conditions. If you believe these rights are being violated, report it to advocacy groups or legal organizations.
• Monitor official sources: ICE provides information about detention standards and the 287(g) program on its official website.

Conclusion: The Ongoing Debate Over Immigration Detention in Alabama

The awarding of emergency detention contracts to Alabama companies highlights the ongoing debate over how the United States 🇺🇸 handles immigration enforcement. While ICE and DHS say detention is necessary, many advocates and legal experts worry about the human cost, especially in facilities with a history of poor conditions.

As ICE continues to expand its network of detention centers, including through contracts with Alabama companies, the need for oversight, legal support, and policy reform remains urgent. The future of immigration detention in Alabama will depend on the choices made by government officials, private companies, local communities, and the advocates who continue to push for change.

Learn Today

DHS → U.S. Department of Homeland Security; oversees immigration enforcement and detention operations nationwide.
ICE → Immigration and Customs Enforcement; federal agency responsible for immigration detention and removal enforcement.
287(g) Program → Agreement allowing local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws under ICE supervision.
Emergency Detention Contracts → Short-notice agreements with companies or jails to provide additional detention space quickly.
Prison Rape Elimination Act → U.S. law designed to prevent sexual abuse in detention facilities and prisons.

This Article in a Nutshell

In early 2025, two Alabama companies secured emergency detention contracts from DHS as ICE faces record detainee numbers. This expansion highlights growing reliance on private and local facilities amid policy changes, raising concerns about detention conditions, legal access, and the 287(g) program’s impact on immigrant communities in Alabama.
— By VisaVerge.com