April 30, 2021

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, the Day 1 Alliance, the trade association representing private sector contractors working in the criminal justice and immigration systems, released the following statement from national spokesperson Alexandra Wilkes on the “Abolish ICE” protesters at President Biden’s event yesterday in Georgia:

“As the protesters at President Biden’s event in Georgia made clear, this is all about advancing a political agenda to ‘abolish ICE’ and oppose any federal immigration detention, rather than finding solutions to the current challenges facing the federal government at the border.

“For more than 30 years, our member companies have had a valued partnership with the federal government – under both Democratic and Republican leadership – to provide purpose-built capacity and services to address changing federal immigration processing needs. Modern contractor-operated immigration processing facilities are outfitted specifically to care for individuals going through the immigration review process, and include amenities such as in-house medical care, access to legal counsel, recreational facilities, and counseling services, among others. These facilities are also held to high standards, including the federal government’s Performance-Based National Detention Standards.

“During the last surge at our southern border, in 2014 and 2015, our members worked with the Obama-Biden administration to provide flexible solutions to tough challenges. Our members will continue to be part of the solution, as we have for more than 30 years, and work with those who share those priorities and ideals.”

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