In the United States, the GEO Group, a private prison operator based in Florida, has been under scrutiny for its operations, particularly concerning its immigration detention facilities. The company operates Delaney Hall, a 1,000-bed facility in Newark, New Jersey, which reopened in 2025 under a 15-year contract with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This reopening coincided with the Trump administration's push to expand immigration enforcement and increase the use of private detention facilities. The GEO Group has faced backlash over the conditions in its facilities, with reports of inadequate access to food, water, and medical care for detainees. Legal challenges have also emerged against the GEO Group, including a class-action lawsuit alleging that detainees were forced to work under threat of punishment for as little as $1 a day. The company has defended its practices, claiming compliance with federal standards and asserting that participation in work programs was voluntary. In 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court addressed the case, determining whether the GEO Group could appeal a lower court's ruling regarding its immunity as a federal contractor. Concerns about the treatment of detainees have been raised in various lawsuits and investigations, highlighting allegations of abuse and oversight gaps in facilities operated by the GEO Group and other private operators. Reports from the Golden State Annex ICE facility in California included serious allegations of sexual harassment and coercion by guards. The GEO Group maintains that it is committed to operating safe facilities and adhering to federal detention standards. The financial performance of the GEO Group has been notable, with the company reporting a record profit of $254 million last year. This profit is largely attributed to federal contracts, which form the backbone of its business model. The company’s leadership has expressed optimism about future growth opportunities, indicating that the current equity valuation presents an attractive opportunity for investors. As the debate over private prisons and immigration enforcement continues, the GEO Group remains a focal point of discussion regarding the ethics and effectiveness of private detention facilities.