Topics

New ICE contracts for Montreal-based security firm involved with 'Alligator Alcatraz'

  • Marieke Glorieux-Stryckman

    Marieke Glorieux-Stryckman

  • Canadian Press

  • September 16, 2026

Armoured trucks are parked outside the offices of GardaWorld in the Sylmar section of Los Angeles on Thursday, April 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

MONTREAL -- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has contracted a Montreal-based security firm again, this time to assist its efforts in Texas.

ICE awarded two contracts to the American branch of GardaWorld Security in late August.

Together, these contracts have a minimum value of close to US$118 million and could reach a value of over US$1.3 billion.

GardaWorld is contracted to renovate a building into a new detention centre in San Antonio and to transport people in ICE custody in Texas.

ICE had awarded a US$313 million contract to GardaWorld earlier this year to work on the so-called Alligator Alcatraz, a detention facility in the Florida Everglades.

The facility closed this summer after months of protests, lawsuits, and allegations of inhumane living conditions for detainees.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 16, 2026.