Supreme Court Scrutinizes Immunity Claims in GEO Group Detention facility Case
WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court heard arguments this week concerning a class-action lawsuit alleging forced labor in Colorado’s GEO Group-run ICE detention facilities,with justices sharply questioning the contractor’s claims of immunity from suit. The case, stemming from a lawsuit against Governor Jared Polis, centers on whether GEO Group can be held liable for alleged violations of Colorado’s anti-slavery amendment, even if acting under government contract.
The outcome of the case could significantly impact the liability of government contractors nationwide and potentially affect the treatment of detainees in privately-run immigration detention centers. A ruling in favor of GEO Group could shield contractors from lawsuits alleging abuses, while a decision against them could open the door to greater accountability. The Court’s decision will largely hinge on its interpretation of the 1940 case Yearsley v. W.A. Ross Construction Co., wich concerns immunity for contractors.
Civil rights advocates express concern that a ruling supporting GEO Group would embolden further abuses within private prison systems. The lawsuit alleges that detainees were compelled to work for minimal or no pay, constituting forced labor under Colorado law, despite the state’s passage of an amendment prohibiting slavery.
During oral arguments,Justice Amy Coney Barrett directly challenged GEO Group’s legal strategy. “GEO’s argument boils down to the claim that yearsley is an immunity from suit for contractors who can’t show that history and policy warrant immunity. That doesn’t make sense as a matter of common sense,” Barrett stated. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson also pressed the lawyers on their interpretation of the law.
Scripps News reported that GEO Group’s revenue has increased by 13% in recent years,largely due to contracts with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The Supreme Court is now deliberating the case, with a decision expected in several months. The Colorado class action has the potential to create a ripple effect, influencing how other government contractors are held accountable for alleged misconduct.
