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

Sat Dec 20 2025 16:03:57 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation has opted out of a nearly $30 million contract with ICE to design immigrant detention centers, drawing significant criticism from the community for its involvement in such a controversial project.

The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation announced that it would no longer pursue a federal contract with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to design immigrant detention centers, following intense public scrutiny and criticism. Tribal leaders noted concerns about the contradiction between the tribe's historical disenfranchisement and participating in detention efforts. This decision comes after the dismissal of economic development leaders who facilitated the contract, highlighting ongoing ethical dilemmas within the tribe regarding business interests and community values.

The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation has decided to withdraw from a $30 million contract with ICE to create preliminary designs for immigrant detention centers. This move comes after a significant wave of online criticism, particularly in light of the ongoing ICE operations that have resulted in the detention of some Native Americans.

Tribal Chairman Joseph Zeke Rupnick acknowledged the historical context in a recent address, stating that reservations themselves have historically acted as detention centers. The cancellation of the contract follows the firing of economic development leaders associated with negotiating the deal, illustrating the internal tension within the tribe regarding its alignment with government policies under the Trump administration.

In light of the contract's quick termination, which was met with harsh criticism from community members who find it contradictory to the tribe’s own history of displacement, Rupnick expressed a commitment to ensure that future economic endeavors align with the tribe's cultural values.

With a history of operating various businesses, the tribe plans to gather in January to discuss how to prevent future economic interests from conflicting with their core values. This contract was originally awarded for $19 million for unspecified designs, later amended to nearly $30 million, raising eyebrows regarding the procurement process and the lack of competitive bidding.

The ICE contract has drawn questions about transparency and ethical governance within tribal leadership. Observers await further clarification on the circumstances surrounding the contract and the tribe's decision-making processes.