For the record, at some future date I will rip Trump a new laptop-sized hole for the crimes the Republicans have committed against the American people. But now it is necessary to look at our history and see why exactly Trump was elected to the 47th presidency on November 5, 2024 (a year ago). In the meantime, we will continue looking at the Biden failures this month, November 2025.

Biden’s Broken Promises on Immigration Detention: Still Cages, Still Cruelty, Just Quieter

In 2020, Joe Biden campaigned on a progressive immigration platform, pledging to end the use of private prisons for immigration detention and to reform Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He declared, “There should be no private prisons, period,” and vowed to restore dignity and humanity to the immigration system. Yet, by the end of his term, the reality starkly contrasted with these promises.

The Expansion of Private Detention Under Biden

Despite early executive orders aimed at reducing reliance on private prisons, the Biden administration’s actions fell short. While an executive order in January 2021 directed the Department of Justice to phase out contracts with private prison companies, it notably excluded ICE detention facilities. Consequently, private prison corporations like GEO Group and CoreCivic continued to profit from ICE contracts. By July 2023, over 90% of the average 30,000 individuals held daily in ICE detention were housed in private facilities, marking an increase from 81% in January 2020 under the Trump administration. This expansion contradicted Biden’s campaign promises and highlighted a continued dependence on privatized detention centers.

Inhumane Conditions Persist

Reports of abuse and neglect within ICE detention centers persisted during Biden’s tenure. Investigations revealed instances of medical neglect, solitary confinement abuse, and mistreatment of detainees. For example, detainees at the Krome Detention Center in Miami faced severe overcrowding, lack of food, water, medical care, and sanitation. Despite these conditions, the Biden administration extended contracts with these facilities, drawing criticism from human rights organizations and advocates who labeled the centers as inhumane.

The Continuation of Family Detention

One of the most controversial aspects of immigration enforcement has been the detention of families. Under Biden, the practice of family detention continued, with facilities in Texas detaining not just border crossers but long-settled families. Advocates expressed concerns over the mental and physical toll on detained immigrant children, some of whom had resided in the U.S. for years. The administration’s justification for family detention was questioned, especially given the low numbers of border crossings at the time.

Alternatives to Detention: A Double-Edged Sword

While the Biden administration expanded the use of alternatives to detention (ATD) programs, such as smartphone apps and ankle monitors, these measures raised privacy and civil liberties concerns. By FY 2022, ICE reported about 323,000 people enrolled in ATDs, up from 136,000 in FY 2021. Critics argued that these programs, while less restrictive than detention, still subjected migrants to surveillance and control, often without adequate legal support or resources.

Legislative and Judicial Challenges

Efforts to reform immigration detention faced legislative and judicial hurdles. Congress mandated ICE to maintain a daily detention capacity of 34,000, rejecting the Biden administration’s proposal to decrease it to 25,000 beds. Additionally, attempts to end policies like “Remain in Mexico” were thwarted by court rulings, forcing the administration to continue practices that exposed migrants to dangerous conditions while awaiting U.S. immigration court dates.

The Political Cost of Inaction

Biden’s failure to deliver on immigration reform promises contributed to disillusionment among progressive voters and immigrant communities. The continuation of harsh detention practices and the expansion of private detention facilities under his watch undermined trust and fueled criticism. This discontent may have played a role in the political shift that led to Trump’s re-election in 2024, as voters sought alternatives to unmet promises.

Conclusion

President Biden’s tenure revealed a dissonance between campaign rhetoric and policy implementation regarding immigration detention. Despite pledges to end private detention and reform ICE, the administration’s actions often perpetuated the very systems it vowed to dismantle. The persistence of inhumane conditions, reliance on private facilities, and continuation of family detention highlighted a failure to prioritize human rights and dignity in immigration enforcement. As the nation reflects on the factors leading to the 2024 election outcome, it is imperative to scrutinize the policies and decisions that contributed to public disillusionment and demand accountability from our leaders.

References