Big Take How Did an Alaska Native Corporation Become an ICE Detention Giant?
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Oct 23, 2025 Join Desiree Hagen, a local news director from Kotzebue, and Polly Mosendz, an investigative reporter from Bloomberg, as they dive into the surprising trajectory of the NANA Regional Corporation. Once focused on local Alaskan industries, NANA has transformed into a major player in ICE detention contracts, raising eyebrows among shareholders. They discuss the controversial conditions found in detention centers, cultural clashes over values, and the corporate strategies that led to this shift. Tune in for a compelling exploration of business, ethics, and community reactions.
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NANA's Shift From Local To Federal Revenue
- Alaska Native corporations were created to generate local, passive income while preserving subsistence lifestyles for shareholders.
- Over time, NANA shifted from local resource-based businesses to federal contracting through the 8(a) program, changing its revenue base.
8(a) Program Opened Big Contract Doors
- The federal 8(a) program carved out contracting opportunities for socially and economically disadvantaged groups.
- That carve-out let NANA compete in a narrower pool and rapidly expand into diverse federal work.
How ACMA Entered ICE Detention Work
- In 2012 NANA consolidated federal contracting under ACMA and soon hired a former ICE assistant field office director.
- By 2014 ACMA won its first ICE detention contract in Miami and then expanded to multiple facilities.