ICE wasted millions in rapid push to expand detention capacity, watchdog finds
Summary
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spent over $3 billion in 2023 to buy and plan detention centers, including warehouses it later abandoned. A government watchdog reported that ICE wasted millions of dollars due to poor planning and may lose even more money if the warehouses sell for less than paid.Key Facts
- ICE spent $1.07 billion on 11 warehouses in early 2023, planning to convert them into large detention centers.
- Seven of these warehouses are no longer needed, and ICE intends to sell them.
- ICE shifted $2.2 billion later to buy four detention centers from CoreCivic, a private prison company.
- The Government Accountability Office (GAO) found ICE did not plan for long-term costs and lost $20 million on unused warehouses.
- $1.55 billion remains with Chicago Title Insurance, a company holding funds for ICE’s detention acquisitions.
- ICE is seeking to double its detention capacity to support President Trump’s mass deportation goals.
- ICE recently awarded contracts potentially worth $10 billion to build and expand detention facilities.
- A GAO official said urgent planning is needed to avoid further waste; ICE plans a strategic plan due in 2027.
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