Profits Over Public Health: Detainee Disease Is A Feature, Not A Bug
Let's follow the trail: THE ACTORS: Who profits from neglected health? Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): The government agency responsible for detainee welfare, yet often outsources this responsibility to private entities. Private Prison Corporations (e.g., GEO Group, CoreCivic – previously Corrections Corporation of America): These are the primary operators of the facilities. The Texas
detention center mentioned would almost certainly be run by one of these titans. These companies make their money by housing a fixed number of detainees, regardless of actual occupancy, and by controlling costs, including medical care. Detainees: The individuals trapped in this system, often asylum seekers with pre-existing traumas, now facing infectious diseases in cramped, unsanitary conditions.
THE FUNDING: Where does the money flow? The U.S. government, primarily through ICE, allocates billions to maintain its detention infrastructure. In fiscal year 2016, ICE's budget for detention and removal alone was $2.8 billion (Center for American Progress, 2018). Much of this funnel goes directly to private operators. Private prison companies secure lucrative contracts, often with per diem rates
for each detainee, creating a perverse incentive to maximize bed space and minimize overhead. For example, CoreCivic reported over $1.8 billion in revenue in 2023, while GEO Group boasted over $2.3 billion in 2022. Their profits are directly tied to the number of bodies they house and the services they skimp on. THE INCENTIVES: Why is this system normalized? For private prison corporations, the