Q&A

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Q1: Has CoreCivic neglected staffing, leading to serious issues?

A1: Yes. During its previous operation of the Leavenworth facility, CoreCivic faced repeated staffing problems. In 2017, nearly 25% of positions were unfilled, leading to unsafe conditions, overworked employees, and frequent violent incidents. A former guard described being assaulted multiple times due to inadequate staffing and training. Similar issues have been documented in other CoreCivic-run facilities, including units left unsupervised and staff pulled to cover posts without proper credentials. These systemic gaps jeopardize both worker safety and human dignity.

 

Q2: Aren’t most people in ICE detention undocumented immigrants?

A2: No. While that’s a common assumption, it’s far from accurate. Many people in ICE detention are asylum seekers, individuals who legally came to the U.S. to request protection from violence, persecution, or torture in their home countries. Seeking asylum is a legal right under both U.S. and international law.

But asylum seekers aren’t the only ones ICE detains. In fact, people can be detained for a wide variety of reasons, including:

• Visa Overstays – People who entered the U.S. legally but stayed past the expiration date on their visa.

• Green Card Holders (Lawful Permanent Residents) – Legal residents who have old or minor criminal convictions, even if they've already served their sentence.

• Refugees – Individuals who have already been granted humanitarian protection may be re-detained under scrutiny.

• Survivors of Trafficking or Violence – Victims applying for T or U visas (for trafficking or serious crime survivors) are sometimes detained while their case is pending.

• People with Pending Applications – Individuals waiting on decisions for things like marriage-based green cards, DACA renewals, or Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

• Wrongfully Detained Individuals – U.S. citizens and legal residents have also been mistakenly detained due to clerical errors or flawed databases.

Example: A Cameroonian man named Anthony sought asylum in the U.S. after fleeing political persecution. Upon arrival, he was detained in a CoreCivic-operated ICE facility, where he remained for months despite having no criminal history. His legal team described poor access to legal counsel and prolonged detention as major obstacles in presenting his asylum case. Cases like his are common, especially for those who legally request help at the border.

 

Q3: Who’s funding the reopening of the Leavenworth facility?

A3: The facility, now called the Midwest Regional Reception Center, is being reopened under a no-bid contract between ICE and CoreCivic, signed in March 2025. This agreement was made without local approval and uses federal taxpayer dollars. ICE pays CoreCivic per detainee per day, incentivizing higher occupancy over efficient processing or alternatives to detention.

 

Q4: Why does ICE contract with CoreCivic?

A4: ICE uses private prison companies like CoreCivic to quickly scale detention capacity without investing in government-run infrastructure. In return, CoreCivic earns profit based on how many people they detain. This for-profit model creates a financial incentive to expand detention, even when alternatives exist.

 

Q5: Are there abuse and neglect concerns at CoreCivic facilities?

A5: Yes, and they are well documented. Reports and lawsuits detail:

• Medical neglect, including delayed care for serious conditions

• Unsanitary conditions and overcrowding

• Sexual assault and lack of protective oversight

• Insufficient staffing, which has led to fights, injuries, and slow emergency response

These patterns are not isolated; they reflect systemic issues in CoreCivic-run detention centers across the U.S.

 

Q6: Doesn’t reopening the facility help the local economy?

A6: While CoreCivic promises job creation, this comes with significant risks. Staffing at detention centers is grueling, underpaid, and often unsafe. Former employees from Leavenworth and other CoreCivic facilities have described high turnover, inadequate training, and burnout. Moreover, the City of Leavenworth has filed a lawsuit opposing the reopening due to a lack of proper zoning and community input. Economic benefit does not outweigh the social, legal, and ethical costs.

 

Q7: Why would an asylum seeker be detained at all?

A7: Many asylum seekers are detained upon arrival while awaiting a court hearing, even if they have a legal right to be here. Detention is often used as a deterrent, even though most asylum seekers pose no risk and would attend court if released under supervision. Detention can last months or even years, during which time they may face poor conditions, limited access to legal support, and separation from family.

 

 Bottom Line:

• Staffing concerns: CoreCivic has a record of dangerous understaffing that puts workers and detainees at risk.

• Not just undocumented: Many in ICE detention are legal asylum seekers escaping persecution, not criminals.

• For-profit model: CoreCivic profits from detention, using taxpayer money via ICE contracts.

• Abuse history: Medical neglect, poor conditions, and violence are documented across facilities.

• Local resistance: The City of Leavenworth is actively fighting the facility’s reopening in court.

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RESPECT OUR CITY, CORECIVIC!