Supreme Court Allows Lawsuit Against Private Prison Contractor Over Alleged Forced Labor

GEO Group loses bid to block lawsuit alleging immigration detainees were forced to work for little or no pay.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from the GEO Group, a major private prison company, that sought to shield itself from a lawsuit alleging immigration detainees at a Colorado facility were forced to perform unpaid janitorial work and other jobs. The ruling clears the way for the lawsuit, first filed in 2014, to continue in lower courts.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing concerns over the treatment of immigration detainees in private prisons and the alleged use of forced labor practices. It also raises questions about the legal liability of private prison contractors who operate on behalf of the federal government.

The details

The lawsuit alleges that detainees at GEO Group's facility in Aurora, Colorado were required to perform unpaid janitorial work and other jobs to maintain living conditions and supplement inadequate meals. Some detainees allegedly earned just $1 per day. GEO Group had argued it should be immune from such lawsuits since it was carrying out government instructions as a federal contractor, but the Supreme Court rejected that claim.

  • The lawsuit was first filed in 2014.
  • On February 25, 2026, the Supreme Court rejected GEO Group's appeal to block the lawsuit.

The players

GEO Group

One of the largest private detention providers in the United States, managing or owning roughly 77,000 beds across 98 facilities and operating immigration detention centers nationwide.

Ras Baraka

The Mayor of Newark, New Jersey, who was arrested during a protest at a newly opened GEO Group federal facility in Newark in May 2025 before the charges were later dropped.

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What’s next

The case will now continue in lower court, where GEO Group could face further legal challenges over its labor practices at immigration detention facilities.

The takeaway

This Supreme Court ruling underscores the ongoing scrutiny and legal battles over the treatment of immigration detainees in private prisons, particularly regarding allegations of forced labor. It highlights the need for greater accountability and oversight of private prison contractors who operate on behalf of the federal government.