Two of the nation's biggest operators of private immigrant detention centers are announcing major revenue growth.

Moshannon

Private prison operators CoreCivic and the GEO Group have reported substantial increases in revenue, driven by contracts with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as immigration enforcement intensifies. CoreCivic's revenue rose 18% compared to the previous year, while the GEO Group saw a 13% increase, with both companies anticipating further growth as the number of detained immigrants could rise to 100,000.

Currently, 66,000 immigrants are detained nationwide, but the Trump administration has indicated this is insufficient and pledged to increase deportations. Despite ongoing complaints about detention conditions, the companies maintain they meet national standards, and ICE operations continue to be fully funded, even during government shutdowns.

Private prisons see record revenue growth under immigration crackdown

We have all seen those videos of ICE arresting immigrants nationwide just last week in a daycare center of all places. Many of those people under arrest wind up in private detention centers as they await deportation hearings. Those centers, by the way, are raking in big bucks. And now we're finding out just how much money those private jails are getting from your tax dollars. Scripps News investigative reporter Patrick Terpstra has been following the money. And Patrick, we're talking about hundreds of millions of dollars here. Absolutely. And all year we've really been trying to track where those tax dollars are going to help with this immigration push. And I got to tell you, it is a good time to be one of the companies that operates private detention centers across the country that are helping to house these ICE detainees. Really, there are two names in this game, and that is CoreCivic and the GEO Group. Both of them releasing their third quarter earnings this week and making clear they're doing quite well. Take a look at this graphic. This is from Yahoo Finance. This shows exactly how much money is being made by CoreCivic. And that money has been going up, up, up in the past few quarters. Up exactly 18 percent from last quarter versus one year ago. And they're really making no secret about it. This is largely because of these contracts that they have with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Translating to tens of millions of dollars coming into that company. The other company, the GEO Group, which you see right there, the Moshannon Valley Processing Center, one of the biggest jails that they operate in the country. They also have seen a major uptick in revenue, 13 percent. Listen to how, frankly, jubilant leaders of both companies were in phone calls with investors this week. This represents the largest amount of new business that we have won in a single year in our company's history. And so when you look at the growth that we're expecting for 2026, it's one of the fastest growth years, year over year, that we've experienced in a very long time as a company. Those companies already looking ahead to 2026 when they see even more potential to house more immigrants. Right now, 66,000 immigrants are detained at facilities all across the country. Trump administration making clear that's not enough. Remember, there is this campaign pledge from President Trump to dramatically increase the number of deportations, millions of immigrants. And in order to do that, they first have to arrest migrants and detain them as these immigration proceedings are taking place. So even though there's that record number of 66,000 migrants locked up, they see the potential for 100,000 immigrants locked up. And that is thousands more than ICE has the potential to keep in detention. So those companies see room to profit more, even as we've been covering all year long complaints about conditions at a lot of these centers. Things from the quality of food and water, a lack of medical care, a whole long list of complaints. And we should point out the companies say that they do a top service for all of these immigrants. And that they're working with ICE to make sure that they adhere to standards all across the country. But very clear, Del, from these financial reports that these companies are doing very well. And they see the potential to grow even more financially. Patrick, I want to frame this question correctly. Because we are in a period in this country where we have people that are lining up in food banks. We have TSA agents working for free. We have people that are working in air traffic control towers that are working side gigs as Uber drivers in stocking store shelves. What about ICE? Are they getting paid? ICE is getting paid. And Immigration and Customs Enforcement continues. Whether we're talking about ICE agents or these detention centers and the contractors that work inside them. They were funded by a different bill than the one that is being discussed in Congress. They were funded by that one big beautiful bill act that became law. So because the Trump administration has prioritized immigration, deportations, these detentions and proceedings. All of that goes on and the people involved in that continue to get paid even during the shutdown. Scripps News investigative correspondent Patrick Terpstra. Patrick, as always, we thank you.

World leaders are gathering at the heart of the Amazon for global climate summit COP30 in Belem, Brazil, with Earth set to surpass 1.5 C of warming in the next decade, a climate change skeptic in the White House and worry that global co-operation to fight climate change is collapsing.

Belém

World leaders gather in Brazil for COP30 climate summit

Tesla shareholders approved a historic pay package worth one trillion dollars to the company's CEO, Elon Musk. At the company's annual meeting they paved the way for Musk to become the world's first trillionaire.

San Francisco

Tesla approves $1 trillion pay deal for CEO Elon Musk

The White House meeting came after Trump managed to at least temporarily ease tensions between the U.S. and China over the export of rare earth metals, a major source of contention in their trade talks.

Washington

Trump hails Central Asian leaders to forge critical mineral ties

Sudan's army rebuffed a U.S. proposal for a ceasefire and said it will rally public support to fight rebels who've captured much of the western half of the country.

Johannesburg

Sudan army rebuffs U.S. ceasefire proposal, prepares to fight on

The U.S. Senate narrowly voted 51-49 to block a resolution that sought to prevent President Donald Trump from launching strikes on Venezuela without congressional approval. The measure, led by Senators Tim Kaine, Adam Schiff, and Rand Paul, followed reports that U.S. forces have carried out at least 16 strikes on boats off Venezuela since September, killing more than 65 people.

Washington County

U.S. war on drugs: Senate republicans block move to stop boat attacks

In a video letter to her constituents, California Democrat Nancy Pelosi ended months of speculation about her political future, announcing she would not seek reelection to Congress. Elected in 1987, Pelosi would become the most powerful women in politics as the first female House speaker.

Nancy Pelosi announces retirement after historic career in Congress

Israel’s military says it has begun conducting “a wave of strikes” targeting Hezbollah military sites in southern Lebanon.

Tyre

Israel launched ‘wave of strikes’ in southern Lebanon despite truce

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his government to submit proposals to potentially resume testing nuclear weapons. This comes after President Trump directed the Pentagon to resume nuclear weapons testing "on an equal basis" with other countries.

Moscow

Putin orders proposals for resuming nuclear weapons testing

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments challenging President Trump's authority to impose sweeping tariffs on foreign countries, with justices expressing skepticism about whether such actions fall within presidential powers or infringe on congressional authority over taxation.

Global Tariffs

Supreme Court justices appear skeptical of Trump's tariffs policies

The US government shutdown is now in its 36th day—a record-breaking length. While both political parties blame each other, the result is being felt by the public. Hundreds of thousands of federal workers are going without pay, and government programs like food benefits have been slashed.

Republicans and Democrats trade blame as shutdown drags on

At least 90 people in the central Philippines have died in floods and heavy rains caused by Typhoon Kalmaegi. 75 others are missing. Tens of thousands have been evacuated after rains flooded homes and streets, swept away vehicles and left people trapped on their roofs.

Manila

Dozens killed as Typhoon Kalmaegi hits central Philippines

President Trump hosted a breakfast for Republican senators at the White House on Wednesday morning, where he urged them to end the filibuster as the government shutdown hits a historical milestone.

Trump doubles down on Republicans as government shutdown makes history

At least nine people were killed, officials say, after a UPS cargo plane crashed near the airport in Louisville, Kentucky. Video shows the jet's left wing on fire as it tries to take off before quickly losing altitude and exploding.

Louisville

Video shows moment UPS plane crashes in Kentucky, killing nine

People around the world are reacting to Zohran Mamdani's win in the New York City mayoral race against former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. CBS News' Ramy Inocencio spoke to Mamdani's mentor in his native Uganda about the election results.

New York

World reacts to Zohran Mamdani's win in NYC mayoral race

Typhoon Kalmaegi left a trail of destruction in the central Philippines, as the powerful storm unleashed heavy rains and floods across Visayas islands region. It's now headed towards the South China Sea and Vietnam where preparations are underway ahead of its expected landfall.

Visayas

Deadly Typhoon Kalmaegi lashes Philippines, heads towards Vietnam

A centuries-old legislative practice in the U.S Senate is being blamed as the latest roadblock in resolving the federal government shutdown. That shutdown is now in its 35th day—equaling the longest in the country's history.

Filibuster blamed for deepening U.S government shutdown

Injuries have been reported after a UPS plane crashed near the Louisville International Airport on Tuesday, officials said.

UPS plane crashes near airport in Kentucky, officials say

The U.S. Senate's 14th vote on a House-passed continuing resolution to fund the government has failed, setting up the shutdown to become the longest ever in American history.

Senate vote fails again to reopen government

A new UN report reviews the gap between countries’ climate commitments and global emissions targets.

UN report reveals climate pledges 'barely moving the needle'

Peru has severed diplomatic relations with Mexico after learning that former prime minister Betssy Chávez, accused of helping ex-president Pedro Castillo attempt a coup in 2022, has taken refuge in the Mexican embassy in Lima.

Lima

Peru cuts ties with Mexico over asylum for ex-prime minister

Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney has died at the age of 84. He was a major force in the Republican party for more than 30 years and served as vice president under former President George W. Bush.

Breakdown