Key Takeaways
• Federal government paused $47 million ICE detention center contract in Georgia for DOGE review in June 2025.
• Administration aims to expand detention capacity nationally, pushing a 365% budget increase through 2029.
• Legal challenges and advocacy groups oppose expansions, citing human rights and cost concerns.
Federal Review Halts Plans for Nation’s Largest ICE Detention Center in Georgia
The federal government has paused a $47 million contract to expand an ICE Detention Center in Georgia, following a review by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This decision, made in June 2025, comes as the current administration pushes for a major increase in immigration detention capacity across the United States 🇺🇸. The halt marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement, detention policy, and the role of private prison companies.
Below, we break down what this means, why it matters, and how it affects immigrants, local communities, and the broader immigration system.
What Happened and Why?
In June 2025, the federal government stopped plans to issue a $47 million contract for an expanded ICE Detention Center in Georgia. This facility was set to become the largest of its kind in the United States 🇺🇸. The pause is due to a review by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is examining the contract and the broader implications of expanding detention capacity.
This move comes as the administration has been working to increase the number of beds available for detaining immigrants. The review by DOGE signals that there may be concerns about how the contract was awarded, the cost, or the need for such a large facility at this time.
Key Points:
– $47 million contract for ICE Detention Center in Georgia paused
– DOGE review is ongoing
– Would have created the largest ICE detention facility in the country
– Part of a broader push to expand immigration detention nationwide
Other Recent Developments in Immigration Detention
The halt in Georgia is not an isolated event. Across the country, there have been several important developments related to immigration detention centers:
Kansas Facility Blocked by Court Order
On June 4, 2025, a judge in Leavenworth County, Kansas, issued a temporary restraining order that stopped CoreCivic, a major private prison company, from housing ICE detainees at a closed detention center. The facility, now called the Midwest Regional Reception Center, was supposed to reopen as part of the administration’s plan to increase detention space.
CoreCivic argued that stopping the opening would cost them about $4.2 million each month. The company had tried to get a special permit from the city but later withdrew, saying the process would take too long and was not needed. The city manager, Scott Peterson, said the case was about land use rules, not immigration policy.
New Jersey Detention Expansion
In New Jersey, ICE is moving forward with plans to greatly increase detention capacity. A new facility in Newark would quadruple the number of immigrants who can be held in the state. Right now, ICE can only detain about 300 people at the Elizabeth Detention Center.
The Geo Group, another large private prison company, won a 15-year, $1 billion contract to run Delaney Hall as a detention center. CoreCivic also proposed adding an outdoor space at the Elizabeth Detention Center, and another company offered a 600-bed facility in Trenton for ICE to consider.
Why Is the Administration Expanding Detention?
The current administration, led by President Trump, has made expanding immigration detention a key part of its enforcement strategy. The goal is to sharply increase the number of beds available for detaining immigrants, moving from the current budgeted 41,000 beds to much higher numbers.
This push follows President Trump’s executive order, “Securing Our Borders,” which directs ICE to detain noncitizens as much as the law allows. The House Judiciary Committee has proposed giving ICE $45 billion for detention through September 2029. This would mean a 365% increase over the current $3.4 billion annual budget, raising it to $12.4 billion per year. For comparison, this is almost 50% more than the entire federal Bureau of Prisons budget.
End of “Catch and Release”
A major policy change is the end of “catch and release.” Before, some immigrants were released from detention while waiting for their court hearings. Now, most must stay in detention until their cases are decided. This means more people are held for longer periods.
Family Detention Resumes
On March 14, 2025, the administration restarted the practice of detaining families together while they wait for court hearings. The Karnes County facility in Texas is being used for this purpose, and plans are in place to use another facility in Dilley, Texas.
Legal Challenges and Court Decisions
The expansion of detention has faced several legal challenges:
Venezuelan Deportations Blocked
On May 1, 2025, a federal court in Texas stopped the government from deporting alleged gang members from Venezuela 🇻🇪 under the Alien Enemies Act. The court said that gang activity in the United States 🇺🇸 does not count as an “invasion” under the law.
Later, on May 19, 2025, the Supreme Court ruled that Venezuelan nationals suspected of gang ties cannot be deported unless they have a real chance to challenge their removal. The lower courts are still working out what this means in practice.
DOJ Emergency Request
The Department of Justice asked the Supreme Court to end a temporary order that stopped the deportation of immigrants detained under the Alien Enemies Act. This request is still under review.
Advocacy and Opposition
Congressional Oversight
Lawmakers in New Jersey have raised concerns about the expansion of detention centers. All Democratic members of Congress from the state sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security in February 2025, asking for more information about the new facilities. Representative Robert Menendez highlighted worries about how detainees are treated and the quality of services.
American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Stance
AILA, a national group of immigration lawyers, has called for Congress to reduce and eventually end the use of detention for immigration enforcement. They argue that detention is expensive, slows down case processing, and has a history of human rights problems. Instead, they support community-based programs and legal help for immigrants.
Advocacy Group Concerns
Groups like Detention Watch Network are upset about the opening of new detention centers, especially Delaney Hall in New Jersey. Gabriela Viera, a leader in the group, pointed to past reports of abuse and neglect at these facilities.
Funding and Budget Implications
The administration’s plans come with a huge price tag. A recent spending bill includes over $100 million for border and migration-related projects, including:
- $46.5 billion for border wall construction (701 miles of new wall, 900 miles of river barriers, 629 miles of secondary barriers, and 141 miles of replacement barriers)
- $45 billion for adult and family detention, enough to detain 100,000 people at once
ICE would also get $14.4 billion for transportation and removal operations, a 500% increase from the current $721 million. The plan includes hiring 10,000 new ICE officers over five years, with $858 million for bonuses and $600 million for hiring staff.
Transparency and Information Access
Advocates and lawmakers have complained about the lack of information on detention centers. When NJ Spotlight News asked ICE for details about how immigrants are treated and the status of the Trenton facility proposal, ICE only provided instructions for filing a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, rather than answering directly.
On May 1, 2025, the American Immigration Council filed a FOIA request with ICE to get records about how the “Securing Our Borders” order and the “Guaranteeing the States Protection Against Invasion” proclamation are being carried out.
What Is the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)?
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is a federal agency that reviews government contracts and spending to make sure taxpayer money is used wisely. In this case, DOGE is looking at the $47 million contract for the ICE Detention Center in Georgia to decide if it is necessary, cost-effective, and in line with federal rules.
Why Does This Matter?
The pause on the Georgia ICE Detention Center contract is important for several reasons:
- It slows down the expansion of detention capacity at a time when the administration wants to increase it.
- It raises questions about how contracts are awarded and whether the government is spending money wisely.
- It gives advocates and lawmakers more time to push for alternatives to detention.
- It may affect the lives of thousands of immigrants who could have been held at the new facility.
How Does This Affect Stakeholders?
For Immigrants:
The halt means fewer detention beds in the short term, which could lead to less crowding and possibly more releases while cases are pending. However, the administration’s overall push for more detention means this could change quickly if the contract is approved later.
For Local Communities:
Communities near detention centers often have mixed feelings. Some see economic benefits from jobs and contracts, while others worry about the impact on families and local resources.
For Private Prison Companies:
Companies like CoreCivic and Geo Group stand to gain or lose millions depending on whether new contracts go forward. The pause in Georgia and the court order in Kansas show that these deals are not guaranteed.
For Lawmakers and Advocates:
The delay gives lawmakers more time to ask questions and push for oversight. Advocacy groups can use the pause to highlight concerns about detention conditions and push for alternatives.
For the Federal Government:
The review by DOGE shows that there is some internal debate about the best way to handle immigration enforcement and spending. It also highlights the complexity of balancing enforcement, costs, and human rights.
Background: The Growth of ICE Detention Centers
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) runs a network of detention centers across the United States 🇺🇸. These facilities hold immigrants who are waiting for court hearings or deportation. Over the past decade, the use of detention has grown, with private companies playing a larger role.
Detention centers have faced criticism for poor conditions, lack of medical care, and reports of abuse. At the same time, supporters argue that detention is needed to make sure people show up for court and to enforce immigration laws.
Alternatives to Detention
Many experts and advocates suggest that there are better, less expensive ways to make sure immigrants attend court. These include:
- Community-based case management: Programs that help immigrants find housing, legal help, and support while waiting for court.
- Electronic monitoring: Using ankle bracelets or phone check-ins instead of holding people in detention.
- Legal representation: Studies show that immigrants with lawyers are much more likely to attend court and succeed in their cases.
What Happens Next?
The Department of Government Efficiency will continue its review of the Georgia contract. It is not clear how long this will take or what the outcome will be. Meanwhile, the administration is likely to keep pushing for more detention space, and legal challenges are expected to continue.
Where to Find More Information
For official information about ICE Detention Centers and immigration enforcement, visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the situation around ICE detention centers is changing quickly, with new policies, court decisions, and advocacy efforts shaping the future of immigration enforcement in the United States 🇺🇸.
Takeaways and Next Steps
- The expansion of ICE Detention Centers is a major policy focus for the current administration.
- The pause on the Georgia facility shows that oversight and legal challenges can slow or stop new contracts.
- Advocates, lawmakers, and the public should stay informed and engaged as these decisions affect thousands of lives.
- If you or someone you know is affected by immigration detention, consider reaching out to legal aid organizations or advocacy groups for support.
The debate over immigration detention is far from over, and the outcome of the DOGE review in Georgia will be watched closely by all sides.
Learn Today
ICE Detention Center → A facility where U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement holds immigrants awaiting hearings or deportation.
Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) → Federal agency reviewing contracts to ensure proper government spending and effective use of taxpayer money.
Private Prison Companies → Corporations like CoreCivic and Geo Group that operate detention centers under government contracts.
Executive Order → A directive from the President that manages operations of the federal government, like increasing detention beds.
Alien Enemies Act → A U.S. law allowing detention or deportation of foreign nationals during conflicts under specific legal criteria.
This Article in a Nutshell
The federal government halted a $47 million ICE detention center expansion in Georgia in June 2025 due to a DOGE review. This pause interrupts plans to create the largest U.S. ICE facility amid broad immigration detention growth and ongoing legal challenges nationwide.
— By VisaVerge.com
