The Border Industrial Congressional Complex in Action

In the industrial sprawl on the east side of San Diego within sight of the US-Mexico border is the Otay Mesa Detention Center. Surrounded by huge logistics and warehouse operations is this highly secure razor-wired warehouse for people. If you ere detained at the border by CBP or swept up by ICE for deportation – you end up here.

It has all the outward appearance of a government building with the appropriate flags flying and the sign that says it belongs to the US Department of Homeland Security San Diego Field Office but it is operated by a contractor – Core Civic of Tennessee LLC.

Sounds harmless and noble but Core Civic used to be called Corrections Corporation of America before they rebranded themselves to expand beyond their core business – private prisons. This is a $1.8B corporation that has been in business since 1983 – their web site says they are “America’s leader in partnership corrections. We provide solutions that combine public sector oversight with private sector efficiency.”  

If you believe any of that, you have not been paying attention. The three major private prison companies in the US have been very busy lobbying at federal level and, more importantly, at the state level through the pernicious American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), for all sorts of changes to grow their businesses – longer sentences, “three strikes”, and even for the creation of new crimes. Prisons lobbying for new crimes. How is that even possible?

The border is just another line of business opportunity that they are happy to support and work to grow. It is estimated that there are over 50,000 migrants or deportees in over a hundred facilities maintained for ICE or CBP – that amounts to about $10M per DAY revenue for private contractors. This one in Otay Mesa has five units and they are adding two more.

The border business is booming – expect these companies to play a significant role.