From Mother Jones · Greg Constantine · · 2m
Trump's Mass Detention Machine in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's largest immigration center holds 1,600 immigrants daily while local officials defend it as a job provider.
In brief
Pennsylvania's largest immigration center holds 1,600 immigrants daily while local officials defend it as a job provider. Pennsylvania's Moshannon Valley Processing Center detains 1,600 immigrants daily with 85% having no criminal record, while local officials claim it provides jobs. Originally reported by Mother…
Philipsburg sign
A sign greets passersby with a weeping Statue of Liberty on US Route 322.
Philipsburg economy
Philipsburg's economy relied on timber, industry, and coal until GEO Group became its only employer.
Moshannon facility
Moshannon Valley Correctional Facility opened in 2006 as a federal prison and became an immigration detention center in 2021.
Detention scale
Over 1,600 immigrants are detained daily at Moshannon Valley Processing Center, 85% with no criminal record.
Detention deaths
Two immigrants died in ICE custody at Moshannon Valley Processing Center in 2025, including Chaofeng Ge.
Local support
A local resident says the facility provides jobs and keeps immigrants from leaving the town.
“When jobs are lost, that place provides something for people here. If they don’t put immigrants here, they’ll find somewhere else. Keep the jobs here.”
County benefits
Clearfield County receives $200,000 annually for serving as a middleman for federal funds.
State policy
Pennsylvania ranks fifth nationally in 287(g) agreements for ICE cooperation.
GEO revenue
GEO earned nearly $90 million from Moshannon Valley Processing Center from January 2025 to May 2026.
ICE contracts
ICE signed a 5-year agreement with Clearfield County to manage Moshannon Valley Processing Center.
Detention impact
Charlotte sold everything to move to Maryland to be closer to her husband detained in Moshannon Valley Processing Center.
“I’m a US citizen and I have a child. They want us to be left with nothing.”
Family separation
A father and son were detained together but separated by ICE during a routine check-in.
“They’re in there for a reason. They didn’t take them because they didn’t do nothing.”
Detention conditions
Immigrants face solitary confinement and lack of legal representation in Moshannon Valley Processing Center.
“They put him on major depression medication, but he started losing his emotions.”
Local opposition
Activists and community members push to end the Moshannon Valley Processing Center contract with GEO Group.
“I come here today with a broken heart. My plan for today was to have somebody from Moshannon call and give his testimony.”
Detention expansion
ICE is expanding detention capacity by purchasing facilities from GEO Group's competitors.
“ICE has spent more than $2.2 billion to directly purchase existing detention facilities from GEO Group’s competitor, CoreCivic.”
Contract extension
Clearfield County approved a 6-month extension of the Moshannon Valley Processing Center contract with GEO Group.
“In a 2-1 vote, Clearfield County Commissioner approved the extension.”
The headline
Pennsylvania's Moshannon Valley Processing Center detains 1,600 immigrants daily with 85% having no criminal record, while local officials claim it provides jobs.
