A Fight Is Brewing in the Midwest Over Immigrant Mass Detention – truthout
“…These immigration prisons and jails in the Midwest present a distinct set of challenges different from the politics of the militarized border or the liberal east and west coasts. They are often located in rural areas in red states where support for Trump is high. Often, the jails are run by conservative sheriffs who are aligned with Trump’s policies. Located in towns with depressed economies, the communities are attracted by the promise of jobs and tax revenue…
“Until the prisons in Michigan and Kansas get up to full speed, ICE is shifting people around to several county jails, which are often hidden out of sight. Local residents may not even know their towns are holding people for ICE. There is a network of county jails in the Midwest that includes Chase County, Kansas; Greene County, Missouri; Ozark County, Missouri; Phelps County, Missouri; St. Clair County, Michigan; Boone County, Kentucky; Kay County, Oklahoma; Butler County, Ohio; and Dodge County, Wisconsin. Sheriffs in these counties are paid to jail individuals for ICE at rates from $70-$105 per person per day, which is often used to make up for local budget shortfalls.”