Readout of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement meeting with GEO Group

WASHINGTON - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Chief of Staff Michael Lumpkin met with representatives from the GEO Group Nov. 20 to discuss operations within the evolving detention landscape. ICE works closely with private detention contractors, including the GEO group, to manage its detained docket.

ICE is legally required to detain noncitizens who pose public safety and national security threats. It's also required to detain noncitizens subject to immigration detainers, those under detention orders from Department of Justice immigration judges, and others whose detention is mandated by law. ICE detention is not punitive - instead, it's designed to further noncitizens' immigration proceedings and facilitate removals when ordered.

ICE officials regularly engage with private detention contractors, government officials and partner law enforcement agencies. Officials also meet with private-sector entities, faith-based and activist organizations, and colleges and universities to ensure its future decisions are data-driven, fact-based, humane and effective.