Democrats question $1.2 billion contract to expand Florence immigration detention facilities

Arizona’s three U.S. House Democrats are demanding answers about a contract that was reportedly awarded to GardaWorld last month to expand immigration detention facilities in Florence.

Project Salt Box reported the $1.2 billion contract was awarded to GardaWorld Federal Services (GWFS), a subsidiary of the Canada-based security company, on Sept. 20.

Reps. Greg Stanton, Yassamin Ansari and Adelita Grijalva sent a letter on Oct. 6 to GardaWorld President Pete Dordal Jr. asking questions about the new contract and requesting he respond to their inquiry from March regarding its contract with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to convert a Surprise warehouse into an immigration detention facility.

As part of the query, they also asked about GWFS’ undisclosed involvement in environmental review for the Surprise facility.

The lawmakers’ question included:

• What qualifications GWFS has to manage both projects.
• What personnel will be overseeing the operations.
• What plans, if any, they have to subcontract construction, medical care, staffing or facility management.
• What structural and code-compliance assessments have been done for the Surprise warehouse.
• What GWFS’ role is in the Surprise environmental review, and whether it has conducted similar federal reviews.
• What projects, facilities and task orders are in the $1.2 billion contract, and how much do they cost.
• What consultations has the security contractor done with the cities, counties, school district and public safety agencies.
• Will GWFS or DHS be covering the costs associated with increased demand for emergency medical services, fire protection and law enforcement.

The town of Florence was not told about the planned expansion nor provided additional information on the contract, according to an Arizona Republic report.

“It is deeply concerning that, despite the significant scale of these projects and their potential impact on surrounding communities, local governments continue to learn about them only after contracts have been awarded,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter. “The communities surrounding the Surprise and Florence facilities deserve transparency.” 

Ansari has previously visited the Florence Correctional Center and detailed speaking with multiple detainees at the facility who documented instances of medical neglect they experienced by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Emmanuel Damas, a Haitian man, also died earlier this year from dental problems while being detained at the Florence Correctional Center.

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