Mass Detention in America
- maveriQ B Jackson
- 22 hours ago
- 4 min read
If only 41% have criminal records, what is the other 59% for?
By maveriQ B Jackson | February 7, 2026
While the nation debates immigration policy, a mathematical pattern reveals something far more disturbing: the rapid expansion of detention infrastructure that goes well beyond any stated need for public safety.
The Math That Doesn't Add Up
In just one year, immigration detention increased from 40,000 to 75,000 people—an 87.5% increase. But here's what the headlines miss:
· Criminal detentions increased 17.7% (+6,650 people)
· Non-criminal detentions increased 1,192% (+28,350 people)
· 81% of the increase is people with NO criminal record
If this is about public safety and removing criminals, why are non-criminals the overwhelming majority of the increase?
The Deaths We're Not Talking About
2025 was the deadliest year in ICE custody since 2004, with 32 deaths—more than the previous four years combined. Already in 2026, six more people have died. These aren't just statistics. They're people with names:
Renee Nicole Good, 37, Minneapolis: U.S. citizen and mother shot by ICE agent on January 7, 2026. Video shows her turning her vehicle away from officers when the agent fired three shots, killing her. The Trump administration initially claimed she "viciously ran over" an officer. Video evidence proved this was false.
Alex Pretti, 37, Minneapolis: U.S. citizen and ICU nurse shot by federal agents on January 24 while documenting a protest. Video shows him being surrounded by officers, pushed to the ground, and then shot multiple times while already subdued.
Geraldo Lunas Campos, 55, Texas: Died January 3 at Camp East Montana detention facility. County medical examiner ruled his death a HOMICIDE—meaning caused by another person.
Beyond these high-profile cases: medical neglect is rampant. ICE stopped paying medical contractors in October 2025 and won't resume payments until April 2026—a six-month gap during which detained people are being denied care for treatable conditions.
Who's Really Being Detained
170+ U.S. citizens have been wrongfully detained. But it doesn't stop there:
· Green card holders who've lived in the U.S. for decades
· Students on valid F-1 visas arrested at universities
· Workers with legal H-1B authorization
· Asylum grantees whom judges ruled deserve protection
· People arrested while attending required immigration hearings
· Native Americans detained despite tribal citizenship
America became a global leader by attracting the world's best talent. Now we're detaining students who could cure diseases, engineers who could innovate technology, and workers who build our infrastructure.
The Infrastructure That Reveals the Plan
Here's where the pattern becomes unmistakable:
Facilities | 225 (104 new in one year) |
Capacity being built | 108,000 beds |
Currently detained | 75,000 people |
Empty beds | 33,000 |
Question | Who are those for? |
If only 44,250 detainees have criminal records, why build capacity for 108,000? The infrastructure is being built for something beyond its stated purpose.
History's Unmistakable Pattern
The United States has built detention infrastructure before. Each time followed the same pattern: build first, expand scope later.
WHEN | WHO | PATTERN |
1830s | Cherokee (Trail of Tears) | Detention camps built → 16,000+ died from conditions |
1862-63 | Dakota at Fort Snelling | 1,600 detained → 300+ died → Mass execution |
1899-1902 | Filipino civilians | First called "concentration camps" → Disease killed thousands |
1942-46 | Japanese Americans | 120,000 detained (2/3 citizens) → Zero convicted of sabotage |
2025-26 | Current expansion | 75K detained (41% non-criminal) → 170+ citizens → 33K empty beds |
The lesson: Once infrastructure capacity exists, it gets used. Scope expands beyond initial justification. And once 225 facilities across 48 states are operational, who fills those 33,000 empty beds?
What Congress Must Do
I'm demanding every member of Congress:
1. 1. Cap detention capacity at 40,000 (pre-expansion level)
2. 2. Restore mandatory Congressional oversight
3. 3. Prevent scope expansion beyond immigration detention
4. 4. Prohibit U.S. citizen detention with criminal penalties
5. 5. Restore medical contractor payments immediately
6. 6. Hold immediate hearings on deaths and conditions
Join Me in Demanding Action
I'm contacting every Colorado representative with the letter I've written. You can too.
What You Can Do Right Now
I'm contacting every Colorado representative. I'm demanding they act before this pattern repeats. Here's how you can join me:
Option 1: Call (Fastest - Takes 2 Minutes)
📞 Call: (202) 224-3121This is the U.S. Capitol Switchboard. They connect you to any member of Congress.
Ask for: Your Senator or Representative by name
Use this script:
"My name is [YOUR NAME] from [YOUR CITY]. I'm calling about mass detention.
The numbers:
• 75,000 detained, only 41% have criminal records
• Non-criminal detention up 1,192%
• 32 deaths in 2025, 6 more in 2026
• 170+ U.S. citizens detained
• 33,000 empty beds
This mirrors Japanese internment. I demand Congress:
1. Cap detention at 40,000
2. Restore oversight
3. Prevent scope expansion
4. Prohibit citizen detention
5. Hold hearings now
Please act before history repeats."
Option 2: Submit Web Contact Form
Find your representatives:
Copy this message into their contact form:
─────────────────────────────────
Subject: Urgent Action Required on Mass DetentionDear [Senator/Representative NAME],
I am your constituent demanding immediate action on detention expansion.
THE FACTS:
• 75,000 detained (up 87.5% in one year)
• 41% have NO criminal record
• Non-criminal detention up 1,192%
• 32 deaths in 2025, 6 in 2026
• 170+ U.S. citizens detained
• 108,000 capacity, 33,000 empty beds
This mirrors Japanese internment: infrastructure first, scope expansion after.
I DEMAND:
1. Cap detention at 40,000
2. Restore Congressional oversight
3. Prevent scope expansion
4. Prohibit U.S. citizen detention
5. Hold immediate hearingsI expect a response.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Address]
[Phone]
[Email]
─────────────────────────────────
Option 3: Share This Article
The more people who see this, the more pressure on Congress.• Share on social media• Email to friends and family• Post in community groups• Forward to journalists
The Bottom Line
The difference between 1942 and 2026 is that we can see it coming this time. We know the pattern: build infrastructure, expand scope, use beyond stated purpose. We've seen it happen before—with Japanese Americans, with the Cherokee, with the Dakota.
The question isn't whether the pattern exists. It's whether we'll act.
History will judge us by what we do right now.
──────────────────────────────────────────────────
maveriQ B Jackson (mav QBJ) Candidate, Colorado State House District 23
Running on substance over symbolism. Transformation, not tweaks. mav@votemaveriq.com | (303) 564-9005 | votemaveriq.com Paid for by maveriQ B Jackson for Colorado
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