Make Me Smart Who profits from immigration detention?
Jul 8, 2025
Deirdre Conlon, a Professor of Human Geography at the University of Leeds and co-author of "Immigration Detention, Inc," dives into the troubling intersection of immigration policy and profit. She discusses how private companies are capitalizing on expanded immigration detention funding, influenced significantly by recent legislation. Conlon calls attention to the ethical dilemmas of profiting from detainees, examines the commodification of detention, and explores global trends in privatized systems. The conversation also includes a light-hearted celebration of listener relocations.
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Private Firms Dominate Detention
- Private companies dominate US immigrant detention, holding nearly 90% of detainees.
- Companies like Geo Group and CoreCivic heavily lobby for laws increasing detention to boost profits.
Local Economies Linked to Detention
- Local economies grow dependent on immigration detention centers.
- Local governments earn by renting jail space and subcontracting services to private companies.
Expansion Spurs Profit and Cost-Cutting
- The $45 billion funding expansion will increase profits for many service providers in detention.
- Providers cut costs by delivering poor food, medical care, and charging detainees for commissary.