The GEO Group Secures Five-Year ICE Contract for 1,320-Bed Rivers Immigration Processing Facility
The GEO Group, Inc. has announced the signing of a five-year support services contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to activate a federal immigration processing center at the company’s 1,320-bed Rivers Facility in Winton, North Carolina. The agreement marks a significant addition to GEO’s federal services portfolio and is expected to strengthen the company’s long-standing partnership with ICE while expanding federal immigration processing capacity.
According to the company, the contract covers the activation and operation of the company-owned Rivers Facility as a dedicated immigration processing center. Once operational, the facility will be used exclusively by ICE and will provide housing and support services for individuals undergoing federal immigration processing.
The agreement is expected to generate approximately $80 million in annual revenue during the first full year of operations, making it a meaningful contributor to GEO’s financial performance. The projected revenue reflects the comprehensive range of services the company will provide under the contract, including facility operations, security, maintenance, food services, and resident support programs.
The Rivers Facility has a capacity of 1,320 beds, positioning it as one of the larger immigration processing centers available to support federal enforcement and processing activities. By activating the facility, ICE will gain additional bed space to help address increasing operational requirements while expanding its nationwide detention and processing infrastructure.
Under the terms of the agreement, GEO will provide a broad suite of operational support services designed to ensure the efficient day-to-day management of the facility. These services include security operations to maintain a safe and secure environment, routine maintenance of the property, food preparation and dining services, and access to recreational facilities for individuals housed at the center.
The company will also facilitate access to essential services such as medical care and legal counsel, helping ensure that individuals at the facility receive necessary support throughout the immigration processing period. These services form part of the operational framework commonly provided at federally contracted immigration processing centers.
GEO stated that the Rivers Facility will be dedicated exclusively to ICE operations under the new contract. This exclusive arrangement is intended to provide the federal agency with a facility specifically configured to meet its operational requirements while allowing for consistent management and service delivery.
George C. Zoley, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Founder of The GEO Group, said the company expects the Rivers Facility to play an important role in supporting the federal government’s immigration enforcement and processing efforts.
According to Zoley, the facility’s activation will help address the growing demand for additional immigration processing bed space as federal agencies continue responding to evolving operational needs. He emphasized that GEO remains committed to supporting government partners through the provision of secure facilities and professional operational services.
Zoley also highlighted the company’s 40-year public-private partnership with ICE, describing the relationship as an example of long-term collaboration between the private sector and the federal government. He noted that GEO stands ready to continue assisting federal authorities in carrying out their immigration enforcement priorities by providing infrastructure and operational expertise where needed.
The new agreement builds on GEO’s longstanding involvement in providing secure residential facilities and support services for government agencies throughout the United States. Over the years, the company has operated correctional facilities, detention centers, immigration processing centers, and community reentry programs under contracts with federal, state, and local government entities.
The Rivers Facility represents one of GEO’s company-owned assets, giving the organization greater operational flexibility in preparing the property for federal use. Ownership of the facility also allows GEO to oversee maintenance, infrastructure improvements, staffing, and operational readiness directly while meeting contractual requirements established by ICE.
Immigration processing centers play an important role within the federal immigration system by providing temporary housing and administrative support for individuals as their immigration cases proceed through established legal and administrative processes. These facilities are designed to support government agencies by providing secure accommodations and access to essential services during processing.
As immigration enforcement priorities and operational demands continue to evolve, the federal government periodically expands or adjusts its detention and processing capacity through contracts with qualified service providers. The activation of the Rivers Facility reflects ongoing efforts to ensure sufficient infrastructure is available to support those operations.
The projected annual revenue of approximately $80 million underscores the scale of the agreement and the operational responsibilities associated with managing a facility of this size. Revenue generated under the contract is expected to come from the comprehensive package of services GEO will deliver, including facility management, staffing, maintenance, security, food services, healthcare coordination, and other support functions.
For GEO, the agreement further strengthens its portfolio of federal contracts while reinforcing its strategic focus on government services. The company has consistently emphasized its experience in operating secure facilities and delivering integrated support services through long-term partnerships with government agencies.
The five-year duration of the contract also provides operational stability and reflects the federal government’s commitment to utilizing the Rivers Facility as part of its immigration processing network over the coming years. During this period, GEO will be responsible for maintaining operational standards and ensuring the facility remains capable of supporting ICE’s mission.
The activation of the Rivers Facility is expected to contribute to expanded federal immigration processing capacity while creating operational activity at the Winton, North Carolina, location. As preparations move forward, GEO will work with ICE to transition the facility into active service and implement the staffing, security, maintenance, and support systems required under the agreement.
With a dedicated 1,320-bed capacity, comprehensive support services, and an expected $80 million in annual revenue during its first full year of operation, the Rivers Facility is positioned to become an important component of ICE’s processing infrastructure. The new contract also reinforces GEO’s long-standing role as a private-sector partner supporting federal government operations through facility management, security services, and integrated operational solutions.
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