ICE removed detainee protections after private outreach from top contractor

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) removed several detainee protections from its revised federal detention standards following private lobbying from one of its top contractors, the GEO Group. The alterations, which govern immigration detention centers, are expected to directly benefit the private prison giant's defense in ongoing legal battles. The revelation has sparked criticisms from civil rights advocates regarding the influence of private contractors on federal law enforcement oversight.