March 19, 2026

Washington, DC – The Day 1 Alliance, the trade association representing longtime federal and state government contractors in the criminal justice and immigration systems, released the following statement on A.B. 1633, a bill introduced in the California State Assembly to impose a 50% tax on gross receipts from contractors to operate private immigration detention facilities in the state:

“For decades, federal contractors have played a limited but valued role in our country’s criminal justice and immigration systems, under both Republican and Democratic leadership, providing dignified, respectful care under multiple levels of government oversight. 

“This bill, which will certainly face legal challenges for its unconstitutionality, is nothing more than a veiled attempt to ban contractor-operated immigration processing facilities in the state to advance a broader political agenda aimed at undermining the federal government’s immigration enforcement policies. In doing so, this bill not only unfairly targets government contractors, but potentially harms the safety and well-being of migrants in ICE custody, as they could be displaced to local jails or other facilities in other states, far removed from their loved ones and legal resources in California.

“Like our partners in the federal government, we respect the states’ roles in applying appropriate oversight to jail and detention facilities.  Unfortunately, in this case, the goal does not seem to be oversight, but an attempt to deny the federal government access to resources it needs to carry out its mission.  The law is clear.  Such actions by the states are plainly illegal.”

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