The US is once again grappling with the contentious issue of immigration detention, following an incident at a facility in Colorado where a private security contractor allegedly fired his gun at protesters. Brandon Booth, 42, an employee of Geo Group, was arrested on Thursday evening after shooting and injuring a woman who had been taking part in a demonstration outside the Aurora ICE Processing Center.
The attack is believed to have occurred after police were called to the scene following a protest that had earlier blocked the entrance to the facility. The injured woman, who has not been named, was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and her companion remained unharmed. Officers subsequently stopped Booth's vehicle a short distance away, seizing his car and a pistol.
Geo Group, a multinational corporation valued at approximately £3.1 billion, is one of the largest private operators of immigration detention centres in the US. Its facilities, including the Aurora centre, have been repeatedly targeted by protesters who claim that conditions within are often inadequate and inhumane. Just this week, an outbreak of tuberculosis was reported among detainees at the facility.
As the company's extensive ties with the US government are put under scrutiny, details of its relationship with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) come into focus. Geo Group has secured multi-year contracts with DHS covering detention facilities, transportation services and immigrant-tracking programmes. Former executive David Venturella was even appointed acting director of ICE in June.
Aurora police chief Todd Chamberlain condemned the shooting, saying "This is a tragedy on all fronts." Booth has since been charged with attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, attempted first-degree assault, felony menacing and unlawful carrying of a concealed weapon. He remains in custody pending trial.