January 20, 2023

WASHINGTON – Day 1 Alliance (D1A), the trade association representing private-sector criminal justice and immigration system contractors, authored a Letter to the Editor published today in The Philadelphia Inquirer pushing back on “Abolish ICE” activists with the facts about contractor-operated ICE immigration processing facilities and the negative consequences of bad policy:

Detention facts

The Dec. 14 op-ed, “Closing Berks County immigrant detention center is not enough,” showed the real face of the “Abolish ICE” movement, which is all about politics, no matter the real-life consequences. For decades, under both Democrats and Republicans, the federal government has relied almost exclusively on federal contractors since U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement doesn’t have its own facilities. Contractors are held to strict federal standards, and health-care services and access to attorneys and immigrant rights advocates are provided. Without this infrastructure, migrants would be housed in overcrowded local jails alongside potentially dangerous people. The “Shut Down Berks Coalition” suggests the Berks County facility was closed for political reasons, specifically the desire “to win Pennsylvania in 2024.” The coalition fails to address the negative consequences for migrants working their way through our country’s immigration system, who deserve respectful and dignified care, not political slogans.

Alexandra Wilkes, national spokeswoman, Day 1 Alliance

About the Day 1 Alliance:

The Day 1 Alliance (D1A) is a trade association representing private sector contractors helping government agencies address corrections and detention challenges in the United States. For more than 35 years, D1A members have worked with local, state, and federal governments led by members of both political parties to provide professional, humane, and respectful treatment to incarcerated and detained individuals. From day one, we understand we have a responsibility to provide safe and dignified care to those in our facilities. D1A members do not lobby for or against policies, regulations, or legislation that impact the basis for or duration of an individual’s incarceration or detention.

The members of the Day 1 Alliance are CoreCivic, The GEO Group, Management & Training Corporation, and LaSalle Corrections.

Learn more at day1alliance.org and follow us on Twitter @TheDay1Alliance.

Media inquiries:
contact@day1alliance.org