Reps. Neguse, Jayapal, B. Thompson, and Raskin Demand SEC Oversight on ICE No-Bid Contracts with For-Profit Prison Corporations
July 25, 2025
Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joe Neguse sent a letter to the Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Paul Atkins, calling for the agency to conduct oversight on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)’s alleged recent utilization of no-bid contracts.
Since the implementation of Donald Trump’s mass deportation policies, ICE has reportedly cited “compelling urgency” for thousands more detention beds as the reason for entering deals with private prison firms without seeking competitive bids. But public reporting on these deals suggests that on more than one occasion this process has allowed for the direct awarding of contracts to politically connected corporations, making it imperative that the SEC conduct appropriate oversight to ensure the American public is protected from potential bad actors.
Neguse’s letter was co-led by Representatives Pramila Jayapal, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration, Integrity, Security, and Enforcement; Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee; and Bennie Thompson, Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Committee.
“As the Trump Administration has continued to solicit publicly traded companies to operate detention facilities for immigration enforcement—contracts worth tens of millions of dollars—we, the undersigned, believe that there is an increased need for close oversight by the SEC, in addition to other government accountability measures. Specifically, we believe that it is imperative for the SEC to adequately oversee the timely and accurate disclosure of material information from these companies. Given the speed and opaque nature of these contracts, there is a heightened need to monitor and oversee the release of material information related to these no-bid contracts,” wrote the Members of Congress.
The lawmakers also pointed out that this responsibility has fallen upon the SEC, after the Trump Administration undermined the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)’s ability to police itself, gutting congressionally required support for watchdog offices and restricting Members of Congress from conducting oversight at detention facilities.
“It is your duty to uphold the mission of the SEC: protecting and facilitating a fair and efficient markets for investors. We request you to defend that charge and in so doing, consider whether to investigate publicly traded private immigration detention facilities,” concluded the Members of Congress.
This letter is the latest in a series of efforts championed by Democratic lawmakers pushing back against the administration’s aggressive and inhumane tactics to deport migrants.
Click HERE to read the full letter.
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