AP reporters Heather Hollingsworth and John Hanna uncovered previously unreported details about no-bid immigration detention contracts awarded to politically connected companies under the Trump administration.
Their investigation began with a contract granted to CoreCivic Inc. in Leavenworth, Kansas, and expanded into a nationwide pattern of no-bid deals stretching from New Jersey to California. Through interviews with local officials, legal experts and immigration analysts, the reporters detailed how these contracts often bypassed competitive bidding and drew scrutiny from watchdogs.
In February, CoreCivic granted AP rare access inside the Leavenworth facility as it worked to shore up public support for the project. But local opposition intensified, particularly given the facility’s troubled history.
The story was accompanied by a video report from journalist Nicholas Ingram, who documented a tour of the detention center, offering viewers a first-hand look inside.
Together, the team produced a comprehensive, multimedia package that revealed how immigration policy, corporate influence and local politics intersect in high-stakes federal contracting.
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