ICE gives CoreCivic a no-bid contract to keep two New Mexico detention centers open; advocates sue for the records
ICE replaced county middlemen with a direct, no-bid CoreCivic contract after New Mexico's Immigrant Safety Act. Advocates say the award skipped competitive bidding and sued for the records. ICE said CoreCivic alone could meet its needs in time.
Case period:
Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
Overview
New Mexico's Immigrant Safety Act, signed February 5, 2026, and in effect since May 20, bars counties and other public bodies from agreements to detain people for federal civil immigration violations. Torrance and Cibola counties had served as intermediaries between ICE and CoreCivic, which owns both facilities. ICE announced a sole-source contract with CoreCivic in March, and it took effect May 1. The Justice Department has sued the state over the law. In October the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center sued ICE for the contract and its written justification.
Timeline
11 timeline entries on this page. Dates: February 5, 2026 to October 16, 2026
February 2026
Governor signs the Immigrant Safety Act
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed House Bill 9, the Immigrant Safety Act, which bars New Mexico public bodies from entering, extending or renewing agreements to detain people for federal civil immigration violations and requires them to end existing agreements at the earliest permitted date.
[01]ACLU of New Mexico
Freedom of Information Act complaint the ACLU of New Mexico filed in federal court on October 16, 2026, on behalf of the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center. It describes ICE's move from county agreements to a sole-source contract with CoreCivic for the Torrance and Cibola facilities and the center's request for the contract and its written justification. Its account of ICE's conduct is the plaintiff's allegation.
Complaint in New Mexico Immigrant Law Center v. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement · ACLU of New MexicoCase No. 1:26-cv-03471 (D.N.M.), paragraphs 1-8 and 63-108
March 2026
ICE announces plan for a sole-source CoreCivic contract
Source release
ICE posted a notice on SAM.gov saying it intended to award CoreCivic a sole-source contract to run detention at the Cibola and Torrance facilities, with up to 1,955 beds for two years. The notice said CoreCivic was the only operator of the two facilities that met ICE's requirements in the timeframe.
[02]U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Special notice ICE posted on SAM.gov on March 10, 2026, announcing its intent to award CoreCivic a sole-source contract to run detention at the Cibola and Torrance facilities, with up to 1,955 beds for two years. The notice was not a request for bids.
ICE notice of intent to award a sole-source contract for the Torrance and Cibola facilities (NOI-70CDCR26R00000014) · U.S. Immigration and Customs EnforcementNotice description, first and third paragraphsCibola County votes to wind down its ICE agreement
The Cibola County Commission voted to send ICE and CoreCivic a letter beginning an orderly wind-down of its detention agreement under the Immigrant Safety Act. The letter said the county would not end the agreement if a court blocked enforcement of the law.
[03]Source New Mexico
Report on the Cibola County Commission's vote to begin winding down its ICE detention agreement under the Immigrant Safety Act.
Source NM report: Cibola County Commission votes to exit ICE immigrant detention contract · Source New MexicoFirst five paragraphs
April 2026
Torrance County extends its ICE agreement to April 30
The Torrance County Commission voted unanimously to extend its ICE detention agreement to April 30. The county manager told commissioners that CoreCivic was negotiating a direct contract with ICE that would remove the county from the arrangement.
[04]Source New Mexico
Report on the Torrance County Commission's one-month extension of its ICE detention agreement while CoreCivic negotiated a direct contract with ICE.
Source NM report: Torrance County votes to extend ICE contract, potentially for last time · Source New MexicoFirst six paragraphsICE awards the direct contract to CoreCivic
ICE awarded CoreCivic the contract for detention at the Cibola and Torrance facilities on April 30, with a May 1 start date, an ICE spokesperson confirmed. The contract replaced the counties as intermediaries. ICE declined to provide a copy.
[05]Santa Fe New Mexican report: Cibola and Torrance immigrant lockups to stay open; feds contract with prison company
Report that ICE's direct contract with CoreCivic for the Cibola and Torrance facilities took effect May 1, 2026, with ICE's confirmation and comments from Innovation Law Lab and Cibola County's manager.
Santa Fe New Mexican report: Cibola and Torrance immigrant lockups to stay open; feds contract with prison companyParagraphs on ICE's confirmation, Innovation Law Lab and the Cibola County manager[01]ACLU of New Mexico
Freedom of Information Act complaint the ACLU of New Mexico filed in federal court on October 16, 2026, on behalf of the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center. It describes ICE's move from county agreements to a sole-source contract with CoreCivic for the Torrance and Cibola facilities and the center's request for the contract and its written justification. Its account of ICE's conduct is the plaintiff's allegation.
Complaint in New Mexico Immigrant Law Center v. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement · ACLU of New MexicoCase No. 1:26-cv-03471 (D.N.M.), paragraphs 1-8 and 63-108
May 2026
Justice Department sues New Mexico over the Immigrant Safety Act
The United States sued New Mexico, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Attorney General Raúl Torrez, Albuquerque and its mayor, alleging that the Immigrant Safety Act and an Albuquerque ordinance unlawfully interfere with federal immigration enforcement, and asked for a preliminary injunction.
[06]United States Department of Justice
Announcement of United States v. State of New Mexico et al., No. 1:26-cv-01471, which challenges the Immigrant Safety Act and an Albuquerque ordinance. The release notes that the claims are allegations only.
Justice Department press release on its lawsuit against New Mexico and Albuquerque · United States Department of JusticeFirst four paragraphsImmigrant Safety Act takes effect
The Immigrant Safety Act took effect. ICE detention continued at the Cibola and Torrance facilities under the agency's direct contract with CoreCivic, which had begun May 1.
[01]ACLU of New Mexico
Freedom of Information Act complaint the ACLU of New Mexico filed in federal court on October 16, 2026, on behalf of the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center. It describes ICE's move from county agreements to a sole-source contract with CoreCivic for the Torrance and Cibola facilities and the center's request for the contract and its written justification. Its account of ICE's conduct is the plaintiff's allegation.
Complaint in New Mexico Immigrant Law Center v. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement · ACLU of New MexicoCase No. 1:26-cv-03471 (D.N.M.), paragraphs 1-8 and 63-108
September 2026
Immigrant law center requests the contract records
The New Mexico Immigrant Law Center submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to ICE for the CoreCivic contract, its attachments, related emails and the written justification for awarding it without competition, and asked for expedited processing.
[01]ACLU of New Mexico
Freedom of Information Act complaint the ACLU of New Mexico filed in federal court on October 16, 2026, on behalf of the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center. It describes ICE's move from county agreements to a sole-source contract with CoreCivic for the Torrance and Cibola facilities and the center's request for the contract and its written justification. Its account of ICE's conduct is the plaintiff's allegation.
Complaint in New Mexico Immigrant Law Center v. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement · ACLU of New MexicoCase No. 1:26-cv-03471 (D.N.M.), paragraphs 1-8 and 63-108Inspector general faults ICE detention contracting
Source release
The DHS Office of Inspector General reported that ICE did not adequately justify two detention contracts it awarded without full and open competition, and that ICE did not assess its overall detention space needs. The two contracts it faulted date from 2019 and 2022.
[07]U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Inspector general audit of ICE's detention space contracting, issued September 28, 2026. The two contracts awarded without full and open competition that it faulted date from 2019 and 2022.
DHS OIG report OIG-26-37: ICE Did Not Adequately Plan, Procure, and Monitor Detention Space Contracts and Agreements · U.S. Department of Homeland SecurityKey Finding 4
October 2026
ICE denies expedited processing of the request
ICE acknowledged the records request 40 days after it was submitted and denied expedited processing, saying the request did not show an urgency to inform the public beyond the public's general interest in government activities, according to the complaint.
[01]ACLU of New Mexico
Freedom of Information Act complaint the ACLU of New Mexico filed in federal court on October 16, 2026, on behalf of the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center. It describes ICE's move from county agreements to a sole-source contract with CoreCivic for the Torrance and Cibola facilities and the center's request for the contract and its written justification. Its account of ICE's conduct is the plaintiff's allegation.
Complaint in New Mexico Immigrant Law Center v. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement · ACLU of New MexicoCase No. 1:26-cv-03471 (D.N.M.), paragraphs 1-8 and 63-108ACLU of New Mexico sues ICE for the records
The ACLU of New Mexico filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit in federal court on behalf of the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center, asking the court to order ICE to process the request quickly and release the records. Asked for comment, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told Source New Mexico that the department is reviewing the lawsuit and will respond as appropriate.
[01]ACLU of New Mexico
Freedom of Information Act complaint the ACLU of New Mexico filed in federal court on October 16, 2026, on behalf of the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center. It describes ICE's move from county agreements to a sole-source contract with CoreCivic for the Torrance and Cibola facilities and the center's request for the contract and its written justification. Its account of ICE's conduct is the plaintiff's allegation.
Complaint in New Mexico Immigrant Law Center v. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement · ACLU of New MexicoCase No. 1:26-cv-03471 (D.N.M.), paragraphs 1-8 and 63-108[08]ACLU of New Mexico
Press release announcing the October 16, 2026 lawsuit. It quotes Emma O'Sullivan, a staff attorney at the ACLU of New Mexico, and Jessica I. Martínez, director of policy and coalition building at the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center.
ACLU of New Mexico press release on its records lawsuit against ICE · ACLU of New MexicoParagraphs 2, 4 and 5[09]Source New Mexico
Brief report on the lawsuit. Source New Mexico added a statement from a U.S. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson in an update after publication.
Source NM report: ACLU of New Mexico sues ICE over detention contract documents · Source New MexicoParagraph with the DHS statement
Claims
Claims separate what was said from what is contested. Follow each source for the original wording and context.
What's disputed
Disputed claim
ACLU of New Mexico
ICE sidestepped federal contracting requirements that generally require competitive bidding and a review of contractors' safety records when it gave CoreCivic a sole-source contract for the Torrance and Cibola detention centers.
What is disputed
ICE's March 10 notice cited the federal rule that allows a sole-source award when only one responsible source can meet an agency's needs. The complaint says ICE has not made public the written justification that federal rules require for such awards.
Sources (2)
- ACLU of New Mexico press release on its records lawsuit against ICE · ACLU of New MexicoParagraphs 2, 4 and 5
- Complaint in New Mexico Immigrant Law Center v. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement · ACLU of New MexicoCase No. 1:26-cv-03471 (D.N.M.), paragraphs 1-8 and 63-108
Disputed claim
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
CoreCivic was the only responsible source that could meet ICE's requirements for detention services at the Cibola and Torrance facilities in the required timeframe.
What is disputed
CoreCivic owns both facilities. Advocates for detained immigrants say the award bypassed competitive bidding. ICE has not released the contract, and the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center sued in October to obtain it and its justification.
Sources (1)
- ICE notice of intent to award a sole-source contract for the Torrance and Cibola facilities (NOI-70CDCR26R00000014) · U.S. Immigration and Customs EnforcementNotice description, first and third paragraphs
Response record
Responses
Choose one response filter, or select All responses to see the full record.
8 responses. First 6 shown initially. Newest first.
ACLU of New MexicoEmma O'Sullivan, staff attorney, in the ACLU of New Mexico's press releaseDirectly involved Before this statement
The ACLU of New Mexico filed the lawsuit on behalf of the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center after ICE had not produced records about its contract with CoreCivic for the Torrance and Cibola detention facilities.
"We’re concerned that ICE just replaced one underhanded contract with another The state made it clear with the passage of the Immigrant Safety Act that New Mexico stands against the mistreatment and abuse of people in these detention facilities. ICE cannot continue to operate here without accountability."
CondemnedCase context: ICE gives CoreCivic a no-bid contract to keep two New Mexico detention centers open; advocates sue for the records
Full statement and sources
Announcing its records lawsuit, the ACLU of New Mexico said it is concerned that ICE replaced one underhanded contract with another, and that ICE cannot keep operating in New Mexico without accountability after the Immigrant Safety Act.
After the statement
The release says ICE sidestepped federal contracting requirements that generally require competitive bidding and a review of contractors' safety records, and that very little information about the new contracts has been made public.
ACLU of New Mexico press release on its records lawsuit against ICE · ACLU of New MexicoParagraphs 2, 4 and 5Complaint in New Mexico Immigrant Law Center v. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement · ACLU of New MexicoCase No. 1:26-cv-03471 (D.N.M.), paragraphs 1-8 and 63-108Why this label?
The reference point is ICE's sole-source contract with CoreCivic to keep detaining immigrants at the Torrance and Cibola facilities after the Immigrant Safety Act. The ACLU calls it an underhanded contract and says ICE cannot operate without accountability, which criticizes the contract itself, so we labeled it Condemned. It goes beyond disputing a description of the contract, so Challenged characterization does not fit.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
New Mexico Immigrant Law CenterJessica I. Martínez, director of policy and coalition building, in the ACLU of New Mexico's press releaseDirectly involved Before this statement
The center, represented by the ACLU of New Mexico, sued ICE on October 16, 2026, over a records request about the agency's direct contracting arrangements with CoreCivic for the Torrance and Cibola detention facilities.
"Our communities spoke up and passed the Immigrant Safety Act to say that we refuse to be complicit in locking up immigrants, yet ICE is doing everything in its power to retain and expand Trump’s cruel detention and deportation machine in our state We’re requesting these documents because New Mexicans deserve to know why ICE and the Trump administration are attempting to evade our laws while they continue to subject people to inhumane detention."
CondemnedCase context: ICE gives CoreCivic a no-bid contract to keep two New Mexico detention centers open; advocates sue for the records
Full statement and sources
The New Mexico Immigrant Law Center said ICE is doing everything in its power to keep and expand immigration detention in New Mexico after the Immigrant Safety Act, and that it requested the records because New Mexicans deserve to know why ICE is attempting to evade state law.
After the statement
The release says the records request was submitted to ICE more than a month before the lawsuit.
ACLU of New Mexico press release on its records lawsuit against ICE · ACLU of New MexicoParagraphs 2, 4 and 5Complaint in New Mexico Immigrant Law Center v. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement · ACLU of New MexicoCase No. 1:26-cv-03471 (D.N.M.), paragraphs 1-8 and 63-108Why this label?
The reference point is ICE's sole-source contract with CoreCivic to keep detaining immigrants at the Torrance and Cibola facilities after the Immigrant Safety Act. The center says ICE is attempting to evade state law and subjecting people to inhumane detention, which criticizes the arrangement itself, so we labeled it Condemned. It does not merely dispute how the contract is described, so Challenged characterization does not fit.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
U.S. Immigration and Customs EnforcementICE spokesperson Leticia Zamarripa, by email to the Santa Fe New MexicanDirectly involvedBefore this statement
ICE's direct contract with CoreCivic for the Cibola and Torrance detention facilities replaced the counties as intermediaries ahead of the Immigrant Safety Act's May 20 effective date.
"ICE spokesperson Leticia Zamarripa wrote in an email Wednesday evening confirmed the contract was awarded April 30 with a start date of May 1, but declined to provide a copy of the contract or answer other questions."
Explicitly stayed outCase context: ICE gives CoreCivic a no-bid contract to keep two New Mexico detention centers open; advocates sue for the records
Full statement and sources
An ICE spokesperson confirmed by email that the contract with CoreCivic was awarded April 30 with a May 1 start date, and declined to provide a copy or answer other questions, the Santa Fe New Mexican reported.
After the statement
The newspaper reported that the details, including the total contracted cap, were not publicly available, and that the USAspending.gov database showed $13.4 million awarded so far, with the contract set to last until April 30, 2027.
Santa Fe New Mexican report: Cibola and Torrance immigrant lockups to stay open; feds contract with prison companyParagraphs on ICE's confirmation, Innovation Law Lab and the Cibola County managerWhy this label?
The reference point is ICE's sole-source contract with CoreCivic to keep detaining immigrants at the Torrance and Cibola facilities after the Immigrant Safety Act. ICE confirmed the award and its dates but declined to provide the contract or answer further questions, so we labeled it Explicitly declined. It offers no defense or explanation of the award, so Defended or excused does not fit.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Innovation Law LabIan Philabaum, director of legal organizing, in an interview with the Santa Fe New Mexican Before this statement
ICE's direct contract with CoreCivic for the Cibola and Torrance facilities took effect May 1, 2026, keeping both open after the counties left their agreements.
"That this facility would continue to operate as an immigration detention center in the wake of the passage of Immigrant Safety Act in New Mexico is a direct rebuke of the will of the people"
CondemnedCase context: ICE gives CoreCivic a no-bid contract to keep two New Mexico detention centers open; advocates sue for the records
Full statement and sources
Ian Philabaum of Innovation Law Lab said continued immigration detention at the Torrance County facility after the Immigrant Safety Act is a direct rebuke of the will of the people, and called the sole-source contracting a clear violation of administrative procedures.
After the statement
He argued that the contracting process should invalidate the contracts.
Santa Fe New Mexican report: Cibola and Torrance immigrant lockups to stay open; feds contract with prison companyParagraphs on ICE's confirmation, Innovation Law Lab and the Cibola County managerWhy this label?
The reference point is ICE's sole-source contract with CoreCivic to keep detaining immigrants at the Torrance and Cibola facilities after the Immigrant Safety Act. Philabaum calls the continued detention a rebuke of the will of the people and the contracting a violation of procedures, so we labeled it Condemned. His criticism targets the contract and its result, not a description of it, so Challenged characterization does not fit.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Cibola CountyCibola County Manager Kate Fletcher, in an interview with the Santa Fe New Mexican Before this statement
An ICE contracting officer told Cibola County that the direct contract with CoreCivic would begin May 1, 2026, and asked the county to end its own agreement the day before, the Santa Fe New Mexican reported.
"The jobs won’t go, and we’re very relieved — so relieved I was kind of concerned, because in state government procurement would take longer. They did it very quickly, and I don’t know how they did it, but they’re doing a federal procurement, not state"
Defended or excusedCase context: ICE gives CoreCivic a no-bid contract to keep two New Mexico detention centers open; advocates sue for the records
Full statement and sources
Cibola County Manager Kate Fletcher said the county was very relieved that the jobs at the facility would not go once ICE's direct contract with CoreCivic was finalized. She said the federal procurement moved very quickly and that she did not know how it was done.
After the statement
As of May 1, Fletcher confirmed, the county was no longer involved with ICE detainees at the facility, the Santa Fe New Mexican reported.
Santa Fe New Mexican report: Cibola and Torrance immigrant lockups to stay open; feds contract with prison companyParagraphs on ICE's confirmation, Innovation Law Lab and the Cibola County managerWhy this label?
The reference point is ICE's sole-source contract with CoreCivic to keep detaining immigrants at the Torrance and Cibola facilities after the Immigrant Safety Act. Fletcher welcomes the contract's result, saying the county is very relieved that the jobs will stay, so we labeled it Defended or excused. She says she does not know how ICE moved so quickly but raises no objection to the award, so Mixed or conditional does not fit.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
CoreCivicA CoreCivic spokesperson, responding to the Santa Fe New MexicanDirectly involved Before this statement
Leaders of Torrance and Cibola counties were waiting for ICE and CoreCivic to finalize a direct contract that would let both CoreCivic-owned detention centers stay open once the Immigrant Safety Act took effect on May 20.
"A spokesperson for CoreCivic declined to answer questions Tuesday, stating only, “Our priority is to continue caring for each person in our facilities respectfully and humanely,” and directing further questions to ICE."
Explicitly stayed outCase context: ICE gives CoreCivic a no-bid contract to keep two New Mexico detention centers open; advocates sue for the records
Full statement and sources
A CoreCivic spokesperson declined to answer the Santa Fe New Mexican's questions about a direct ICE contract for the Torrance and Cibola facilities, said the company's priority is caring for people in its facilities respectfully and humanely, and referred further questions to ICE.
After the statement
The newspaper reported that ICE did not respond to its questions.
Santa Fe New Mexican report: Torrance, Cibola counties await no-bid ICE details to keep detention facilities openParagraphs on the county managers and the CoreCivic responseWhy this label?
The reference point is ICE's sole-source contract with CoreCivic to keep detaining immigrants at the Torrance and Cibola facilities. CoreCivic declined to answer questions about the contract and referred them to ICE, offering only a general statement about its care of detainees, so we labeled it Explicitly declined. The statement does not take up the contract or how it was awarded, so Defended or excused does not fit.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Show fewer responses
New Mexico Immigrant Law CenterJessica Martinez, policy director, in an interview with the Santa Fe New MexicanDirectly involved Before this statement
ICE published a notice on the federal contracting site on March 10, 2026, of its intent to contract directly with CoreCivic for the Cibola and Torrance detention facilities. The notice was not a request for bids.
"The requirements of the federal procurement processes are there so that we could have transparency, accountability It protects the taxpayers. Circumventing this process is a really, really major red flag"
CondemnedCase context: ICE gives CoreCivic a no-bid contract to keep two New Mexico detention centers open; advocates sue for the records
Full statement and sources
The New Mexico Immigrant Law Center's policy director said federal procurement rules exist for transparency and accountability and protect taxpayers, and called ICE's move to skip competitive bidding a really major red flag.
After the statement
Martinez told the newspaper that a competitive bidding process would allow public input and would have let legal advocates raise concerns about conditions at CoreCivic's facilities.
Santa Fe New Mexican report: ICE detention facilities in New Mexico likely to stay open despite new state lawParagraphs quoting Rep. Eleanor Chávez and Jessica MartinezWhy this label?
The reference point is ICE's sole-source contract with CoreCivic to keep detaining immigrants at the Torrance and Cibola facilities after the Immigrant Safety Act. The center's policy director calls bypassing competitive bidding a major red flag, which criticizes how the contract was awarded, so we labeled it Condemned. The objection is to the award itself, not to a label for it, so Challenged characterization does not fit.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Eleanor ChávezDemocratic state representative and lead sponsor of the Immigrant Safety Act, in an interview with the Santa Fe New Mexican Before this statement
ICE posted a notice on March 10, 2026, of its intent to contract directly with CoreCivic for the Cibola and Torrance detention facilities, removing the counties that the Immigrant Safety Act barred from such agreements.
"While I don’t think that we’re necessarily surprised by this, it’s disappointing that the federal government and the Trump administration don’t respect New Mexico laws, and basically are going to do what the people of New Mexico don’t want anyway"
CondemnedCase context: ICE gives CoreCivic a no-bid contract to keep two New Mexico detention centers open; advocates sue for the records
Full statement and sources
Rep. Eleanor Chávez, lead sponsor of the Immigrant Safety Act, said it was disappointing that the federal government and the Trump administration do not respect New Mexico laws and are going to do what New Mexicans do not want.
After the statement
She also tied the federal interest in a direct contract to the Trump administration's broader push to deport as many people as possible.
Santa Fe New Mexican report: ICE detention facilities in New Mexico likely to stay open despite new state lawParagraphs quoting Rep. Eleanor Chávez and Jessica MartinezWhy this label?
The reference point is ICE's sole-source contract with CoreCivic to keep detaining immigrants at the Torrance and Cibola facilities after the Immigrant Safety Act. Chávez says the plan shows the federal government does not respect New Mexico laws, which criticizes the move itself, so we labeled it Condemned. She does not say she would accept it under any condition, so Mixed or conditional does not fit.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Sources
(11)
Original text
Complaint in New Mexico Immigrant Law Center v. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Relevant passage: Case No. 1:26-cv-03471 (D.N.M.), paragraphs 1-8 and 63-108
About this source
Freedom of Information Act complaint the ACLU of New Mexico filed in federal court on October 16, 2026, on behalf of the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center. It describes ICE's move from county agreements to a sole-source contract with CoreCivic for the Torrance and Cibola facilities and the center's request for the contract and its written justification. Its account of ICE's conduct is the plaintiff's allegation.
- Author
- ACLU of New Mexico, counsel for the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
DHS OIG report OIG-26-37: ICE Did Not Adequately Plan, Procure, and Monitor Detention Space Contracts and Agreements
Relevant passage: Key Finding 4
About this source
Inspector general audit of ICE's detention space contracting, issued September 28, 2026. The two contracts awarded without full and open competition that it faulted date from 2019 and 2022.
- Author
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
Justice Department press release on its lawsuit against New Mexico and Albuquerque
Relevant passage: First four paragraphs
About this source
Announcement of United States v. State of New Mexico et al., No. 1:26-cv-01471, which challenges the Immigrant Safety Act and an Albuquerque ordinance. The release notes that the claims are allegations only.
- Author
- U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Source NM report: Torrance County votes to extend ICE contract, potentially for last time
Relevant passage: First six paragraphs
About this source
Report on the Torrance County Commission's one-month extension of its ICE detention agreement while CoreCivic negotiated a direct contract with ICE.
- Author
- Patrick Lohmann
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Source NM report: Cibola County Commission votes to exit ICE immigrant detention contract
Relevant passage: First five paragraphs
About this source
Report on the Cibola County Commission's vote to begin winding down its ICE detention agreement under the Immigrant Safety Act.
- Author
- Patrick Lohmann
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Santa Fe New Mexican report: Cibola and Torrance immigrant lockups to stay open; feds contract with prison company
Relevant passage: Paragraphs on ICE's confirmation, Innovation Law Lab and the Cibola County manager
About this source
Report that ICE's direct contract with CoreCivic for the Cibola and Torrance facilities took effect May 1, 2026, with ICE's confirmation and comments from Innovation Law Lab and Cibola County's manager.
- Author
- Clara Bates
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Santa Fe New Mexican report: Torrance, Cibola counties await no-bid ICE details to keep detention facilities open
Relevant passage: Paragraphs on the county managers and the CoreCivic response
About this source
Report on Torrance and Cibola county officials waiting for ICE and CoreCivic to finalize a direct contract. It reports that CoreCivic declined to answer questions and that ICE did not respond.
- Author
- Clara Bates
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Santa Fe New Mexican report: ICE detention facilities in New Mexico likely to stay open despite new state law
Relevant passage: Paragraphs quoting Rep. Eleanor Chávez and Jessica Martinez
About this source
Report on ICE's notice of intent to contract directly with CoreCivic, with comments from the lead sponsor of the Immigrant Safety Act and the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center.
- Author
- Clara Bates
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
ICE notice of intent to award a sole-source contract for the Torrance and Cibola facilities (NOI-70CDCR26R00000014)
Relevant passage: Notice description, first and third paragraphs
About this source
Special notice ICE posted on SAM.gov on March 10, 2026, announcing its intent to award CoreCivic a sole-source contract to run detention at the Cibola and Torrance facilities, with up to 1,955 beds for two years. The notice was not a request for bids.
- Author
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of Acquisition Management
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Source NM report: ACLU of New Mexico sues ICE over detention contract documents
Relevant passage: Paragraph with the DHS statement
About this source
Brief report on the lawsuit. Source New Mexico added a statement from a U.S. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson in an update after publication.
- Author
- Source NM Staff
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
ACLU of New Mexico press release on its records lawsuit against ICE
Relevant passage: Paragraphs 2, 4 and 5
About this source
Press release announcing the October 16, 2026 lawsuit. It quotes Emma O'Sullivan, a staff attorney at the ACLU of New Mexico, and Jessica I. Martínez, director of policy and coalition building at the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center.
- Author
- ACLU of New Mexico
- Published
- Accessed
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- Title
- ICE gives CoreCivic a no-bid contract to keep two New Mexico detention centers open; advocates sue for the records
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The Dispute Index. "ICE gives CoreCivic a no-bid contract to keep two New Mexico detention centers open; advocates sue for the records". First published: 2026-10-20. Last updated: 2026-10-20. https://disputeindex.com/cases/ice-corecivic-no-bid-contract-new-mexico-detention