In a deeply concerning decision, the court today sided with private prison company CoreCivic in the CoreCivic v. Murphy case, striking down New Jersey’s ban on for-profit immigration detention. The ruling permits private detention facilities to continue operating in the state, despite overwhelming public opposition and legislative action aimed at ending the practice. New Jersey’s 2021 law banning new, renewed, or expanded contracts with private immigration detention facilities was a milestone in the fight for a more humane and accountable system. CoreCivic’s legal challenge centered on claims that the law interfered with federal immigration enforcement, despite mounting evidence of abuse, neglect, and exploitation in privately run detention centers. In response, NJPP releases the following statement:
Marleina Ubel, Senior Policy Analyst, NJPP:
“This ruling sets a dangerous precedent — one that allows corporations like CoreCivic to prioritize profits over people while operating little transparency or accountability. By effectively ruling that corporate interests supersede state authority to protect public health and safety, the court has undermined New Jersey’s efforts to protect people from the documented harms of for-profit detention.
“Despite today’s ruling, the pursuit of human rights and justice must continue. New Jersey still has the opportunity — and the responsibility — to lead the nation in protecting people from the systemic harms of private detention through enhanced oversight, transparency requirements, and continued advocacy for federal reform.
“NJPP calls on state leaders and federal policymakers to strengthen oversight of detention facilities, close legal loopholes that allow corporate exploitation, and continue working toward the permanent end of for-profit detention. We will not stop fighting for a system that upholds human dignity over corporate profit.”
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