Trump plans to revive family detention in detention centers
March 5, 2025
Trump plans to use defense funds to achieve this plan
The administration of President Donald Trump has taken measures to strengthen policies on the detention of migrant families, including reopening contracts with private prison companies to operate detention centers for this group.
According to reports collected by Telemundo, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is in the process of soliciting proposals from private prison companies to restart detention centers specifically for migrant families. This initiative aims to increase detention capacity and improve living conditions for detained migrant families.
As explained by Telemundo in one of its articles, "The governments of former President Barack Obama and the first term of Trump detained parents with their children, but former President Joe Biden ended that practice in early 2021. Under the terms of a 1997 court agreement, ICE is prohibited from holding families with children in regular detention centers, and they must be detained for less than 21 days."
Regarding the same issue, The Wall Street Journal commented, “The private prison industry, represented by companies such as GEO Group and CoreCivic, has shown active interest in these contracts. These companies are expanding their capacities and hiring additional staff in anticipation of an increase in demand for detention beds under Trump’s immigration policies. For example, GEO Group plans to increase its bed capacity from 13,500 to more than 31,000, while CoreCivic aims to expand its capacity to 25,000 beds, including the possibility of detaining families and unaccompanied minors.”
"Furthermore, it has been reported that the Trump administration is considering using defense funds to allow civilian companies to quickly expand temporary detention centers, such as those housing migrant families. This strategy seeks to increase detention capacity without the need to build new facilities." (Telemundo)
In summary, the Trump administration is strengthening migrant family detention policies by reopening contracts with private prison companies, expanding detention capacity, and using defense funds to improve and expand existing facilities. These measures aim to address the increase in the number of migrants and reinforce the government’s immigration policies.
The website Immigrants' List aptly states, “This is a prime example of Donald Trump's performative immigration policy, reflecting his desire to create a spectacle rather than address the complexities of our immigration system in a fair and humane manner. Trump is using immigration as a political theater tool to create fear, control, and division.
Moreover, Trump's family detention policy is designed to fill the pockets of private prisons, contributing to the expansion of the industrial prison complex, all at the expense of humanity and justice. By intensifying detention and deportation efforts, the Trump administration contributed to the growing reliance on private contractors to manage immigrant detention centers. This has been a key way in which for-profit prison companies like CoreCivic have benefited from the incarceration of immigrant families."
As for us, PIKES PEAK IMMIGRATION, we remain committed to fighting for immigrants' rights and helping families stay united.
Call us if you need advice on immigration matters.
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New federal rule leaves thousands of work-authorized immigrants without commercial driver’s licenses
Various recent media outlets confirm that a new rule by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), under the U.S. Department of Transportation, prevents immigrants with work authorization—including asylum seekers, refugees, and DACA recipients—from obtaining or maintaining commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs), affecting hundreds of thousands of drivers. Reports from outlets such as The Washington Post, The Guardian, and CalMatters indicate that the measure is already causing the loss of licenses and jobs, as well as potential impacts on the supply chain. Meanwhile, labor and legal organizations have filed lawsuits, such as Rivera Lujan v. FMCSA , arguing that the rule is illegal, discriminatory, and severely harms the livelihoods of thousands of families. The administration implemented a rule that prevents asylum seekers, refugees, and DACA recipients from obtaining or renewing CDLs. Lawsuits say it will “destroy livelihoods” A transportation-focused publication confirms the language used by plaintiffs: Attorneys stated that the rule “threatens to destroy the livelihoods” of thousands of drivers. It explains that asylum seekers, refugees, and DACA recipients are excluded. Real impact: loss of licenses and jobs A recent CalMatters report shows that this is already happening: Thousands of immigrant truck drivers have already lost their licenses in California. Many have been left unemployed and in legal uncertainty. It is estimated that up to 61,000 could lose their licenses in that state alone. Economic and industry effects Driving schools report a sharp decline in student enrollment due to the new rules. Companies and analysts warn that the measure reduces the workforce and may increase costs. Implementation of the rule (key detail) Legal and regulatory sources confirm: The rule went into effect on March 16, 2026. It only allows CDLs for certain visa types (H-2A, H-2B, E-2). Other work-authorized statuses no longer qualify. Recently, The Guardian published an article analyzing the impact of this measure on driving schools. Start CDL, a driving school founded by immigrants Asyl Kushnir and Gene Moik, is facing possible closure due to a sharp decline in student enrollment following new restrictions implemented during the administration of Donald Trump. Enrollment dropped from nearly 100 students per month to just 25–30, seriously affecting revenue despite high demand for drivers. According to its owners, the changes have created confusion and reduced access for immigrants with work permits—such as asylum seekers, refugees, and DACA recipients—who previously saw trucking as a stable job opportunity. This serves as a small example of the different angles from which this new policy must be analyzed. In summary ✔️ The rule exists and is already in effect ✔️ It directly affects immigrants with work authorization ✔️ There are active lawsuits (such as the one you mentioned) ✔️ Media reports confirm real losses of jobs and licenses
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