NJ to house more immigrant detainees

By AP | August 15, 2011

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey is getting one of the newest immigrant detention facilities in the nation.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement is set to sign an agreement with Essex County Monday to expand an existing facility to accommodate more detainees.

The agreement between federal and county authorities will expand the number of immigrant detainees at The Essex County Correctional Facility to 1,250.

The facility currently houses some immigrant detainees at a per-bed rate of $105 per day.

U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg and immigration advocacy groups are questioning whether a politically connected firm gained an advantage in the bidding process to run the facility. Two executives of the company are high-level allies of Gov. Chris Christie.

A Christie spokesman has said the governor has no involvement in the detention center negotiations.

http://www.canadianbusiness.com/article ... -detainees