Supreme Court Rules Against Private Prison Firm in Forced-Work Lawsuit

GEO Group faces allegations of forcing immigration detainees to work for $1 per day in Colorado

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Supreme Court unanimously ruled against the GEO Group, a private prison company, in a lawsuit alleging that immigration detainees were forced to work for only $1 per day in Colorado. The ruling is a procedural defeat for GEO, but the case will continue as the company fights the lawsuit from 2014 over its labor practices at a detention center in Aurora.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing concerns over the treatment of immigration detainees in private prisons, with allegations of forced labor and substandard pay. The Supreme Court's decision denies GEO's attempt to quickly appeal the case, allowing the lawsuit to move forward and potentially setting a precedent for how private prison contractors can be held accountable.

The details

The lawsuit alleges that detainees at GEO's Aurora, Colorado facility were forced to perform unpaid janitorial work and other jobs to supplement meager meals. GEO defended its practices and argued the case should be dismissed because it is immune from lawsuits as a government contractor. However, the Supreme Court unanimously rejected GEO's request to quickly appeal the case, ruling that the company must wait until a final decision is reached before appealing.

  • The lawsuit was filed in 2014 against GEO's detention center in Aurora, Colorado.
  • The Supreme Court ruled against GEO on February 25, 2026.

The players

GEO Group

One of the top private detention providers in the country, with management or ownership of about 77,000 beds at 98 facilities.

Jennifer Bennett

An attorney who argued for the Colorado detainees in the lawsuit against GEO.

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What they’re saying

“The Supreme Court's unanimous decision reaffirms a straightforward rule: government contractors like GEO do not qualify for sovereign immunity and must follow the same 'one case, one appeal' principle that governs every other litigant.”

— Jennifer Bennett, Attorney for Colorado detainees

What’s next

The lawsuit against GEO will now continue, with the company potentially facing further legal challenges over its labor practices at the detention center.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing scrutiny and legal battles surrounding the treatment of immigration detainees in private prisons, with allegations of forced labor and substandard pay. The Supreme Court's decision denies GEO's attempt to quickly dismiss the lawsuit, allowing the case to move forward and potentially setting a precedent for how private prison contractors can be held accountable.