Tennessee Companies Profit from Trump's Immigration Agenda

Aerospace manufacturer AMI Metals and private prison operator CoreCivic among firms benefiting from increased federal immigration enforcement spending.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Brentwood, Tennessee-based AMI Metals, a global aerospace materials manufacturer, has inked a $1.5 billion deal with the federal government to provide "bulk steel for southwest border barrier construction projects." The contract is one of dozens struck with Tennessee-based companies in support of the Trump administration's mass immigrant detention and deportation agenda since the current federal fiscal year began. Meanwhile, private prison operator CoreCivic has rapidly added to its portfolio of agreements to operate immigration detention facilities, provide security, and transport detainees, with revenue from ICE increasing more than 100% year over year.

Why it matters

The expansion of ICE and CBP contracting in Tennessee is part of a nationwide trend, as Congress has provided tens of billions of dollars for the administration's crackdown on immigration. This spending spree has occurred simultaneously with the decimation of DHS oversight capabilities, raising concerns about lack of accountability and potential civil rights abuses. Critics argue these tax dollars should be invested in public services rather than inflicting cruelty and enhancing corporate profits.

The details

AMI Metals' $1.5 billion border contract is the first substantial deal the company has signed with Border Patrol. The contract lists a start date of Feb. 11 and notes the potential for federal payments to escalate to more than $2.2 billion over two years. Meanwhile, CoreCivic, a major private-prison contractor, is rapidly adding to its portfolio of agreements to operate immigration detention facilities, provide security and transport detainees. Nearly one in four ICE detainees are now in facilities operated by CoreCivic.

  • The AMI Metals contract lists a start date of Feb. 11, 2026.
  • In the 2024 fiscal year, the total value of contracts between Tennessee companies and the federal immigration enforcement agencies stood at $255 million.
  • With eight months remaining until a new fiscal year begins Oct. 1, 2026, the total contract value for Tennessee businesses this year is approaching $1.6 billion.

The players

AMI Metals

A global aerospace materials manufacturer based in Brentwood, Tennessee, that has inked a $1.5 billion deal with the federal government to provide "bulk steel for southwest border barrier construction projects." AMI Metals is a subsidiary of the publicly traded Reliance Inc.

CoreCivic

A major private-prison contractor based in Tennessee that is rapidly adding to its portfolio of agreements to operate immigration detention facilities, provide security and transport detainees. Nearly one in four ICE detainees are now in facilities operated by CoreCivic.

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What they’re saying

“The expansion of ICE and CBP contracting in Tennessee is part of a nationwide trend, as Congress has provided tens of billions of dollars for the administration's crackdown.”

— David Janovsky, Acting Director of the Constitution Project at the Project on Government Oversight (Tennessee Lookout)

“Let's remember that the profits, to the extent they are coming, are coming from our federal tax dollars. So instead of being used to invest in the public good, things like schools, public infrastructure, public services, health care, these tax dollars are being diverted to inflict cruelty and, apparently, to enhance corporate profit.”

— Spring Miller, Attorney, Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition (Tennessee Lookout)

What’s next

It is not clear what economic impact the contracts may bring to Tennessee in terms of jobs or business taxes. A spokesperson for the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development did not respond to questions about whether it is tracking such information.

The takeaway

The proliferation of contracts between Tennessee companies and federal immigration enforcement agencies highlights the financial incentives driving the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration, even as oversight and accountability measures have been weakened. Critics argue these taxpayer funds should be redirected to public services rather than corporate profits.