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

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

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Supreme Court has ruled against the GEO Group, a private prison company, in a lawsuit alleging that immigration detainees were forced to work and paid only $1 per day at the company's facility in Aurora, Colorado. The ruling is a procedural defeat for GEO, which had argued it should be immune from the lawsuit as a government contractor.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing concerns about the treatment of immigration detainees in private prisons, with allegations of forced labor and substandard pay. The Supreme Court's decision allows the lawsuit against GEO to proceed, potentially setting a precedent for similar cases against private prison operators.

The details

The lawsuit was filed in 2014 and alleges that detainees at GEO's Aurora facility were required 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, a judge disagreed, and the Supreme Court has now refused to allow GEO to quickly appeal the ruling.

  • The lawsuit was filed in 2014.
  • In May 2025, Newark, New Jersey Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested at a protest against a new federal immigration detention center operated by GEO, before the case against the Democrat was dropped.

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. It is facing the lawsuit over its treatment of immigration detainees.

Ras Baraka

The mayor of Newark, New Jersey, who was arrested at a protest against a new federal immigration detention center operated by GEO, before the case against him was dropped.

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What’s next

The lawsuit against GEO Group will now proceed, potentially setting a precedent for similar cases against private prison operators.

The takeaway

This case highlights ongoing concerns about the treatment of immigration detainees in private prisons, with allegations of forced labor and substandard pay. The Supreme Court's decision allows the lawsuit against GEO to move forward, potentially leading to greater accountability for private prison companies.