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Muscatine Today
By the People, for the People
Muscatine County Blocks Release of ICE Detainee Contract
County cites federal FOIA process to avoid disclosing agreement to hold immigration detainees
Published on Feb. 23, 2026
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Muscatine County in Iowa is refusing to publicly release its contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to house immigration detainees, citing a federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. The county's decision comes amid several lawsuits related to its detention of immigrants picked up by ICE.
Why it matters
The public has a right to know the details of agreements between local governments and federal immigration authorities, especially when those agreements involve the detention of individuals. Muscatine County's refusal to disclose the contract raises concerns about transparency and accountability around immigration enforcement activities.
The details
In recent months, the Muscatine County Jail administrator has been named in five lawsuits related to the county's agreement to house some of the immigrants detained by ICE. Like other Iowa counties, Muscatine has a contract with ICE to detain these individuals in exchange for federal payments. When a local media outlet requested the contract and other records, the county attorney said the request was being transferred to ICE's FOIA office, rather than responding under state open records laws.
- In recent months, the Muscatine County Jail administrator has been named in five lawsuits related to the county's ICE detainee agreement.
- Earlier this month, the media outlet requested the contract and other records from the new County Attorney Korie Talkington.
The players
Korie Talkington
The new Muscatine County Attorney who refused to disclose the ICE detainee contract, citing a federal FOIA process.
James Barry
The former Muscatine County Attorney who resigned last year amid an alleged ethics complaint related to the county's ICE detainee agreement.
What’s next
The media outlet is expected to continue pressing Muscatine County to disclose the ICE detainee contract under state open records laws, rather than deferring to a federal FOIA process.
The takeaway
This case highlights the ongoing tension between local governments' cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and the public's right to transparency around these agreements, which can have significant impacts on immigrant communities.
