Clearfield County signs million contract over five years with ICE and private operator of Moshannon detention center.
Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, has recently finalized a contract that will net the county million over a five-year period. This agreement serves to position Clearfield County as an intermediary between the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the GEO Group, the private contractor managing the Moshannon Valley Processing Center. This facility is notable for being the largest immigration detention center in the Northeastern United States.
Entering the final stages of its agreements with ICE and GEO Group, Clearfield County finds itself amid a national discourse on immigration policy, particularly under the backdrop of heightened efforts to deport undocumented immigrants. Critics have pointed out that the Moshannon facility has faced significant scrutiny due to allegations of physical and psychological abuses, as well as inadequate health care for detainees. These concerns deepened following the tragic death of Chaofeng Ge, a Chinese national who died while in detention at the center.
In reaction to these controversies, local advocacy groups, including Indivisible Mayday, have mobilized protests urging the county to refrain from renewing its contracts with the detention center. They argue that no amount of financial gain can justify the continuation of operations that they believe contribute to human suffering.
The Clearfield County commissioners initially entered into a five-year intergovernmental service agreement with ICE in September 2021, designed to facilitate detention services. Under this agreement, GEO Group is tasked with managing all operational responsibilities associated with the facility. In addition to the million contract revenue, GEO Group is obligated to pay an annual administrative fee of 0,000 to the county, which constitutes less than 0.5% of the county’s projected .7 million budget for 2025.
The facility’s arrangements also allow GEO Group to bypass certain federal contracting requirements by routing payments from ICE through the county. A report by Temple University’s Sheller Center for Social Justice has highlighted these operational nuances.
As the conclusion of the current contracts approaches next September, the commissioners are faced with a crucial decision regarding their renewal. Commissioner John Sobel has indicated a tendency to advocate for continuation, asserting that he perceives no civil rights violations within the facility. His fellow commissioners share varying perspectives, revealing a spectrum of opinion about the ethical implications of the facility’s operation and its alignment with broader community values.
Currently housing approximately 1,404 detainees, Moshannon’s occupancy reflects a notable increase since the inauguration of former President Donald Trump, during which time the average population was 1,171. Originally a federal prison, the facility transitioned to its current role as an immigration detention center in November 2021.
Clearfield County officials highlight the employment repercussions of this transition, noting that the facility supports 407 full-time employees of GEO Group and contributes to local tax revenues that fund essential community services. However, the interplay of economic factors and ethical considerations continues to fuel debate within the community.
Ultimately, the decision to renew the contracts will serve as a litmus test for the county’s commitment to balancing economic interests with humanitarian concerns in the realm of immigration enforcement. The stakes are high, and the forthcoming dialogue will likely resonate far beyond the borders of Clearfield County.
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