The incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump has made it a central part of their agenda to round up, detain, and deport millions of undocumented people living in the United States. While immigrant rights groups are alarmed by these plans, private companies offering immigration-related services see this as a potential financial opportunity. Businesses like the GEO Group, one of the largest private prison companies in the country, have seen their stock prices surge in the weeks following the election. Other companies, such as CoreCivic and Palantir, have also experienced significant increases in their stock prices.
As spending on immigration enforcement and border security increases, the private sector is seizing the opportunity to offer services ranging from surveillance technology to detention facilities. The use of technology and data has become a key driver in the immigration enforcement process, with companies like Oracle providing data systems for agencies like the Department of Homeland Security. Tech firms like Boeing and Elbit Systems have also been involved in installing detection technology on the US-Mexico border.
Experts believe that companies offering logistical support, such as staffing for enforcement efforts, may benefit the most from Trump’s immigration agenda. With millions of undocumented immigrants in the US and limited ICE personnel, the need for additional staff is crucial for carrying out mass deportations. Private firms may also see increased demand for immigrant detention space, despite concerns about human rights violations in privately run facilities.
The heated rhetoric surrounding immigration in the US has created a profitable environment for companies involved in immigration enforcement. By portraying all undocumented migrants as threats, politicians have fueled the demand for services to deter, detain, and expel them. This trend is not unique to the US, as the global market for border and immigration security is expected to continue growing in the coming years.