Trump's migrant family separation policy is a growth opportunity for defense contractors

A child separated from parents at the U.S.-Mexico border
(Image credit: John Moore/Getty Images)

Many people look at the Trump administration's new policy of forcibly separating kids from their parents when they cross the U.S.-Mexico border illegally as a gross violation of humanity and decency. Others see a business opportunity — specifically, The Daily Beast reports, intelligence and defense contractors, some of them with a trail of scandals and lawsuits. The Daily Beast notes recent postings for jobs related to housing migrant children by giant defense contractor General Dynamics and MVM Inc., which touts its "extensive domain expertise in counter-narcotics, criminal and civil investigations, public safety, and national security."

"It is mind-blowing that those types of industries would be even considered with respect to the care of children," immigration lawyer Matthew Kolken tells The Daily Beast. "They're not equipped to be able to do it. Would you want your child to be dropped off in their hands? I know I wouldn't." Neil Gordon, an investigator with the Project on Government Oversight, added: "It looks right now that the Trump administration's policies regarding immigration is proving to be a relatively lucrative area for private contractors. ... I'm concerned with these companies' track records."

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
Explore More
Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.