A Native American tribe in Kansas has publicly withdrawn from a federal contract worth almost $30 million to produce preliminary designs for immigrant detention centres, following a significant outcry on social media.
Contract Termination After Public Backlash
The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation confirmed its exit from the deal late on Wednesday night. This announcement came just over a week after the tribe's economic development leaders, who had brokered the agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), were dismissed from their posts.
The contract faced intense criticism online, with many labelling it as "disgusting" and "cruel." This sentiment was amplified by the fact that some Native Americans have been detained in recent ICE operations. Commentators also highlighted the historical irony, noting the tribe's own ancestors were forcibly relocated to a reservation south of Topeka two centuries ago.
Historical Echoes and Tribal Values
In a video address last week, Tribal Chairman Joseph “Zeke” Rupnick appeared to acknowledge this difficult history, referring to reservations as "the government’s first attempts at detention centres." In his subsequent update on Wednesday, Rupnick stated he was "happy to share that our Nation has successfully exited all third-party related interests affiliated with ICE."
The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation operates a diverse portfolio of businesses. Rupnick added that tribal officials plan to meet in January to establish guidelines ensuring future economic interests do not conflict with the tribe's core values.
Questions Over Contract Award and Tribal Oversight
The ICE contract was initially awarded in October for $19 million for unspecified "due diligence and concept designs" for processing and detention facilities across the United States. The contract's value was modified a month later, raising the maximum payout to $29.9 million.
Under federal rules, sole-source contracts exceeding $30 million require extra justification. Neither tribal leaders nor the U.S. Department of Homeland Security have explained why this firm was selected for such a substantial contract without a competitive bidding process. It also remains unclear how much the Tribal Council knew about the agreement, with a spokesperson noting, "That process of internal auditing is really just beginning."
The contract was held by KPB Services LLC, a tribal offshoot established in April in Holton, Kansas, by Ernest C. Woodward Jr., a former naval officer. A spokesperson for the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation confirmed the tribe has divested from KPB, which still holds the contract, stating "Prairie Band no longer has a stake." Attempts to contact Woodward for comment were unsuccessful.
