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NEW: Even before Donald Trump began his mass deportation plans, the US had the world's largest immigration detention system - 85% run privately. Record numbers are now being held and detainees, lawyers and relatives have spoken of poor conditions. 🔗 ig.ft.com/us-immigrati...

The Trump administration has launched the largest domestic deportation operation in US history — aiming to expel one million immigrants in a year. The president is doubling immigration detention capacity, expanding bedspace and establishing more facilities.

A large number of these facilities are run by for-profit companies — a multi-billion-dollar industry that has exploded over four decades. The prospect of Trump’s record-breaking deportation drive has seen the market value surge of the two biggest: Geo Group and CoreCivic.

A record 57,800 detainees are now being held — a 46 per cent increase since Trump came to power.

Detainees, their lawyers and relatives have told the FT of overcrowding, poor food and medical and legal issues.

Immigration authorities say they are enforcing US laws and deny poor conditions. The companies running detention sites say they provide a service, uphold standards and treat people with respect. ig.ft.com/us-immigrati...