Geo Group Seeks ICE Contract After Land Transfer in Hobbs

The private prison company Geo Group is strategically positioned to pursue a federal immigration detention contract following a recent land transfer in Hobbs, New Mexico. This week, Geo Group finalized a land swap with the city of Hobbs, acquiring the land under the now-vacant Lea County Correctional Facility, which was previously a state prison. The transaction, completed on March 18, 2024, allows Geo Group to seek direct contracts with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), effectively circumventing a newly enacted state law that prohibits local governments from leasing land to private companies for detention purposes.

The land transfer was confirmed by Hobbs Assistant City Manager Todd Randall, who stated in an email that the company now owns both the land and the facilities at the site. The implications of this acquisition are significant as the Immigrant Safety Act, which bans public contracts for immigration enforcement, will come into effect on May 20, 2024. This law positions private companies, such as Geo Group, to potentially dominate the federal immigrant detention landscape in New Mexico.

Randall emphasized that the land swap discussions began prior to the recent legislative session and were primarily focused on resolving property ownership issues. He noted, “This was a real estate matter that had already been in progress and was not intended to address or work around the new state law regarding detention operations.” Despite this, local civil rights advocates have raised concerns over the potential implications of the transaction.

Becca Sheff, a senior attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico, expressed alarm at the timing of the land swap, suggesting it might be intended for an ICE facility. She stated, “We’re deeply alarmed at steps being taken to go ahead with a land swap between the city and Geo coming in likely just under the wire for the Immigrant Safety Act’s effective date.” She cited community trust and public safety as critical considerations, particularly given reports of detainees lacking access to legal representation and adequate medical care.

The new law mandates that local governments with existing ICE contracts terminate their agreements “upon the earliest date permissible under the terms of the agreement.” Sheff lamented the possibility of a facility becoming a “warehouse of people” amid aggressive immigration enforcement tactics.

In a recent shareholders’ meeting, Geo Group indicated its intention to secure ICE contracts for its six “idle” facilities, including the Lea County property. These facilities, located in Texas, North Carolina, Colorado, and California, are viewed as suitable for ICE’s needs, according to company CEO George Zoley. He remarked, “We want to … hopefully see our idle facilities be utilized.”

The Lea County Correctional Facility, which spans over 400,000 square feet, was proposed to the federal government in 2024 as a potential site for ICE detainees while it was still operating as a state prison. However, the New Mexico Corrections Department announced in May 2023 that Geo Group would not renew its state contract, resulting in the facility’s closure and the transfer of approximately 1,000 state inmates to other locations.

The Immigrant Safety Act, passed under House Bill 9, aims to extricate the state from the business of immigrant detention. While supporters advocate for the law, it does not restrict the activities of private companies, raising questions about the future of existing facilities.

As of now, ICE has not announced any new detention centers in New Mexico, although an unnamed spokesperson mentioned that the agency is “actively working to expand detention space” nationwide. This expansion may favor government-owned facilities over privately run ones, as there is a growing preference for structured detention facilities that adhere to regular detention standards.

There are currently three ICE facilities in New Mexico located in Cibola, Torrance, and Otero counties, managed by private companies. CoreCivic operates the Torrance and Cibola facilities, while the county-owned Otero County Processing Center is run by Management & Training Corp. The future of these facilities remains uncertain, especially following the new state law. Local officials have indicated that they are still evaluating options for their operations.

Hobbs City officials hope the land swap and any subsequent developments will lead to job creation in the region. Lea County Manager Corey Needham expressed a desire for productive use of the property but did not indicate a preference for its future application.

Ultimately, the land transfer and subsequent actions by Geo Group will play a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of immigration detention in New Mexico. As the state grapples with the implications of the Immigrant Safety Act, the focus on private prison operations and their relationship with federal immigration enforcement will remain a critical area of scrutiny.