Immigration Detention

AOC Slams Laken Riley Act as Private Prison Windfall

The Laken Riley Act, passed by Congress with bipartisan support, expands mandatory detention for undocumented immigrants accused of crimes, even minor ones. Rep. Ocasio-Cortez decried the bill as a “right-wing power grab,” alleging it funnels billions of taxpayer dollars to private prisons while undermining core American values like the presumption of innocence. This follows President Trump’s reversal of an executive order phasing out private prison contracts, leading to a significant increase in private prison stock values. Critics argue the bill represents a lucrative “sweetheart deal” for the private prison industry, exploiting a tragic death for profit.

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John Q. Hosedrinker Jan 23, 2025