Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Cancels $30 Million ICE Contract Amid Backlash

Fri Dec 19 2025 17:31:04 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Facing criticism from Native American communities, the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation has withdrawn from a contract with ICE to design immigrant detention centers, following a backlash over its involvement in immigration enforcement.

The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation announced its decision to withdraw from a nearly $30 million contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for developing designs for immigrant detention centers. This announcement follows criticism over the ethical implications of a Native American tribe engaging in a project associated with deportations, particularly given the tribe's own historical displacement. Tribal leaders aim to reconcile economic interests with their values.

A Kansas tribe has recently decided to walk away from a contract worth nearly $30 million with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to develop preliminary designs for immigrant detention centers. The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation cited a significant wave of online criticism as a crucial factor in its decision.

The announcement, made on Wednesday night, follows the dismissal of economic development leaders who negotiated the controversial deal with ICE. The criticism stemmed from the historical context of Native American displacements, drawing parallels to the ongoing immigration enforcement measures associated with the Trump administration. Concerns voiced by various activists included the tribe's moral stance, particularly considering the fact that many Native Americans have been swept up in ICE raids.

Tribal Chairman Joseph “Zeke” Rupnick acknowledged these historical issues in a video address, referring to reservations as “the government’s first attempts at detention centers.” In an update released on Wednesday, he proclaimed satisfaction with the tribe's decision to dissociate from ICE, emphasizing the need for economic interests to align with tribal values.

The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation operates various businesses, including health care management and construction. Rupnick informed that tribal leaders will convene in January to discuss ensuring that economic endeavors reconcile with their ethical responsibilities.

Initially awarded in October, the ICE contract for “due diligence and concept designs” was modified to increase its value to $29.9 million, a figure that necessitates further justification under federal contracting guidelines. Although the tribe has backed out, the firm KPB Services LLC, established by a former naval officer, still holds the contract.

The decision to withdraw reflects broader concerns among Native American communities regarding participation in federal initiatives tied to immigration enforcement, sparking discussions about historical context and ethical responsibilities moving forward.