ICE signs contracts in attempt to circumvent AB 32

In an attempt to undermine the recently passed AB 32, ICE posted awards for multiple detention facilities in California on Friday December 20th.

The postings included extensions for all private detention facilities in California. The issue was covered at length by Rebecca Plevin, of the Palm Springs Desert Sun.

“U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has entered into long-term contracts worth billions of dollars with for-profit prison companies to operate four private immigration detention centers in California. The move comes two weeks before a new state law is set to take effect, phasing out the use of private, for-profit prisons and immigration detention centers.

The contracts cap a contentious, two-month struggle between ICE and state leaders. California’s Congressional delegation, other lawmakers and immigration advocates have slammed the agency for potentially violating federal procurement law in an attempt to lock in long-term contracts for the state’s existing private detention centers before AB 32 takes effect in January. 

The contract announcements, posted on a federal website, only say the awards are for four detention centers in ICE’s Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego areas of responsibility.”

The article also quoted IDA Policy Director Jackie Gonzalez :

“It has been quite clear from the outset that these solicitations violate federal law,” Jackie Gonzalez, policy director for Immigrant Defense Advocates, said in an email. “The fact that all four of these contracts received only one bid is consistent with our belief that they lacked full and open competition and were part of a scheme  to enrich the private prison industry and circumvent AB 32.”

She continued: “ICE ramming through 15-year contracts and funneling more than $5 billion to these private prison companies represents corruption in its highest form.”