Report Highlights Jordan's Ties to Geo Group
A report released last month by Pogo Investigates, a nonprofit newsroom, has revealed close ties between Ohio congressman Jim Jordan and Geo Group, a company profiting from the Trump administration's anti-immigration crackdown. The report found that the American Liberty Foundation, a political action committee (PAC) tied to Jordan, received $250,000 in 'dark money' payments from Geo Group last year.
Dark Money Transfer After Immigration Bill
The transfer occurred 11 days after the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act last July, which tripled the federal budget for ICE and other immigration enforcement to $170 billion. Nick Schwellenbach, author of the report, noted that while a company or its PAC can contribute to a Super PAC, a federal contractor like Geo Group is not permitted to do so. 'Geo Group's PAC had not disclosed this. Only American Liberty Foundation had. Both have legal obligations to disclose,' Schwellenbach said.
Legal Complaint Filed
Campaign Legal Center has filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission against Geo Group, alleging illegal and misreported contributions. Critics argue that taxpayer money is fueling a 'deportation-industrial complex' benefiting Geo Group, which operates ICE detention centers across 16 states.
Poor Conditions at Detention Centers
Conditions at many of Geo Group's 52 ICE detention centers have been reported as very poor. Detainees at Delaney Hall in New Jersey launched a hunger strike last month to protest living conditions and lack of medical care. New Jersey has sued Geo Group for full access to inspect the facility. In Michigan, family members of detainees at North Lake Processing Center report verbal abuse and denial of visitation.
Geo Group's Financial Success Under Trump
Geo Group's net income surged from $31.9 million in 2024 to $254.3 million in 2025 under the Trump administration. CEO George Zoley stated that 2025 was 'the most successful period for new business wins in our Company's history.' The company also received a $60 million contract for skip tracing services to find and detain undocumented immigrants. Despite receiving millions in taxpayer money, Geo Group ended 2025 with $1.61 billion in debt.
Ethical Concerns and Political Implications
Saurav Ghosh of Campaign Legal Center highlighted that dark money is a significant problem in elections, with $1.9 billion spent in the 2024 cycle. Jordan, a ten-term congressman, faces challenges in the November election from both a Democrat and an Independent. Josh Kolasinski, the Democratic candidate, said the Geo Group donation 'is proof that he is in favor of incarceration that is for profit.'
Jordan's History and Support
Jordan has denied knowledge of sexual abuse by Richard Strauss at Ohio State University, where he was an assistant wrestling coach. Bob Puglia, a Democrat from Jordan's hometown, commented, 'This is Jordan country. To the Maga cult, it's not that he's been caught in the act, but that he's fulfilling his promise.'
