The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has recently come under scrutiny for their use of private companies in their deportation operations. One such company is CSI Aviation, which has been awarded a no-bid contract worth over $78 million to provide daily scheduled flights for ICE’s enforcement and removal operations. This contract has the potential to climb to $162 million, and is stated to “facilitate ICE’s enforcement and removal of operations of illegal aliens.
The CEO of CSI Aviation, Allen Weh, and his family have been major campaign contributors to the current president. This has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the fairness of the contract bidding process.
Another major player in DHS’s deportation operations is Avelo Airlines, a consumer airline that has recently entered the market as a sub-carrier for CSI Aviation. This is an unprecedented role for a commercial airline, and has raised questions about the involvement of non-governmental entities in deportation flights.
GlobalX, another sub-carrier for CSI Aviation, handles the majority of DHS flights, according to statistics from Witness at the Border. As of July, there have been over 1,200 deportation flights, which is a record high. In August 2024, GlobalX announced a five-year contract worth $65 million per year.
The private prison industry also profits from DHS’s immigration policies. GEO Group, one of the largest private prison companies, was awarded a $1 billion, 15-year contract to reopen a 1,000-bed facility in Newark, NJ. This contract has the potential to yield $636 million in revenue for the company. Another company, CoreCivic, has also seen an increase in profits as they have reopened a 2,400-bed facility in Texas under a new ICE agreement. This deal could bring in $180 million annually, with potential for extension.
The use of technology and surveillance has also become a lucrative business for DHS. The new law allocates over $6 billion for border surveillance and $673 million for biometrics. Companies like Palantir, Anduril Industries, and LexisNexis have been awarded contracts worth millions to provide technology and data systems for ICE’s operations.
These contracts are funded by taxpayer dollars, raising questions about the use of public funds for private profit. With billions of dollars going towards detention centers, deportation flights, and surveillance systems, many are questioning the priorities of the government. In a system plagued by due-process concerns and human rights complaints, should taxpayer dollars be used to fund a billion-dollar deportation business?
As individuals file their taxes, it is important to remember that a portion of their dollars are not going towards essential services like education and healthcare, but instead are fueling the profits of private companies involved in DHS’s deportation operations.
The use of private companies in immigration policies has raised concerns about the fairness and effectiveness of these operations. It is important for the government to prioritize the well-being and rights of immigrants, rather than the profits of corporations.