ICE Spending Surges as Detention Center Deaths Climb

Donor-linked firms receive billions in contracts amid rising fatalities in immigration detention facilities

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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A new report reveals that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spending reached $5.4 billion in one year, with top donor-linked contractors receiving the majority of funds. This comes as the number of deaths in ICE detention centers climbed to 32 in 2025, the highest toll in two decades. The overlap between lucrative ICE contracts and rising fatalities in the facilities operated by these firms has raised concerns about potential preferential treatment and lack of accountability.

Why it matters

The disproportionate amount of ICE funding going to a few well-connected firms, coupled with the alarming increase in deaths within the detention system, has sparked outrage and calls for greater oversight and accountability. This case highlights the potential conflicts of interest and lack of transparency in how billions of taxpayer dollars are being spent, as well as the human cost of these policies.

The details

According to a report by the Project on Government Oversight, roughly 70% of ICE's $5.4 billion in contracts in 2025 went to just 10 companies, several of which had donated heavily to former President Trump's campaign. The top recipient, CSI Aviation, saw its ICE revenues surge 238% in a single year, climbing from $363.9 million to $1.23 billion. Other major beneficiaries include Palantir Technologies, which recorded a 297% jump in ICE contract earnings, and private prison giants GEO Group and CoreCivic, which each gave $500,000 to Trump's inauguration committee and lobbied for the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' that tripled ICE's budget.

  • In 2025, 32 people died inside immigration detention centers, the highest toll in two decades.
  • In December 2025, seven people died in detention facilities across the country, the single deadliest month on record.
  • In October 2025, ICE allegedly stopped paying third-party medical providers, leading to people being denied care and essential treatment while locked up.

The players

CSI Aviation

An Albuquerque-based firm that runs domestic flights and international deportation charters for ICE. CEO Allen Weh, along with his wife and daughter, donated $460,000 to Trump's 2024 campaign.

Palantir Technologies

A surveillance and data firm that recorded a 297% jump in ICE contract earnings, reaching $81.1 million. CEO Alex Karp and adviser Jacob Helberg contributed nearly $3.9 million to Trump-aligned political action committees.

GEO Group

A private prison giant that gave $500,000 to Trump's inauguration committee and lobbied for the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' that tripled ICE's budget.

CoreCivic

A private prison company that gave $500,000 to Trump's inauguration committee and lobbied for the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' that tripled ICE's budget. Its ICE awards jumped 45% after Trump took office, rising from $185.3 million to around $269 million.

Kristi Noem

The Homeland Security Secretary who is being questioned by senators about the rising death toll in ICE detention centers.

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What they’re saying

“The real question is: in a given case, were there circumstances or actions taken or not taken that suggest that that death may have been preventable?”

— Peter Mina, Former deputy civil rights officer at DHS (NPR)

What’s next

Senate Democrats have demanded records on every detention death since January 20, 2025, along with details of any changes to inspection standards and medical care contracts. Congressional hearings are expected to further investigate the matter.

The takeaway

This case highlights the potential conflicts of interest and lack of transparency in how billions of taxpayer dollars are being spent on immigration enforcement, as well as the human cost of these policies. It raises serious questions about the prioritization of profits over the well-being and safety of those in ICE custody.