Big Take Small Towns Are Getting Hooked on ICE Detention
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May 14, 2025 Rachel Adams-Heard, a Bloomberg reporter, dives into the troubling economic ties between small towns and ICE detention facilities. She explores how Torrance County, New Mexico, became reliant on private detention for financial survival, with local officials grappling with ethical dilemmas. Hear the harrowing stories of detainees facing inadequate care and the motivations behind extending detention contracts. The discussion reveals the complexities of community dependency on a system that prioritizes profit over humane treatment.
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Honduran Immigrant Detained in NM
- Carol Barrios' dad was detained in New Mexico despite having a valid green card since 2028.
- He was transferred to Torrance County Detention Facility, far from his family, illustrating ICE's wide reach.
Private Prison Revives Estancia
- Estancia, New Mexico lost economic vitality after droughts and highway re-routing.
- The private detention facility operated by CoreCivic revived the town's economy.
Contracts Ease ICE Detention Access
- ICE contracts with counties, not private companies, to use detention beds.
- This setup bypasses competitive bidding and eases administrative processes for ICE.