A newly established tribal affiliate signed a nearly $30 million federal contract in October to design immigrant detention centers, sparking outrage among Native Americans.
The Contract
The contract, awarded in October for $19 million for unspecified “due diligence and concept designs” for processing and detention centers, was later modified to a $29.9 million ceiling. Sole‑source contracts above $30 million require additional justification under federal contracting rules. KPB Services LLC, the affiliate, was founded in April and is headquartered in Holton, Kansas. It is not listed on the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation’s website and has never performed work for the federal government, though it had qualified to provide logistical support to the U.S. Navy.
Tribal Response
The 4,500‑member tribe fired the economic development leaders who brokered the deal and says it is trying to get out of the contract. Tribal Chairman Joseph “Zeke” Rupnick promised “full transparency” and said the situation is “evolving.” He also noted, “We know our Indian reservations were the government’s first attempts at detention centers,” and added, “We were placed here because we were prisoners of war.” Rupnick said the tribe must ask why it would participate in something that mirrors the harm once inflicted on its people.
Legal and Ethical Concerns
Tribal leaders and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security have not responded to detailed questions about why KPB was selected without competition. Attorney Joshua Schnell warned that “The public’s trust in the federal procurement system depends on transparency and competition,” and that such contracts are an exception to statutory competition requirements. The contract raises questions and seems to conflict with the Trump administration’s stated goal of cleaning up waste, fraud and abuse. Ray Rice, a 74‑year‑old tribe member, said, “We are known across the nation now as traitors and treasonous to another race of people,” and added, “We are brown and they’re brown.” Carole Cadue‑Blackwood, an enrolled member of the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas, said, “I’m in just utter disbelief that this has happened,” expressing hope that the contract will die.
Key Takeaways
- The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation signed a $29.9 million ICE contract through its affiliate KPB Services, triggering backlash from Native Americans.
- Tribal leaders have fired the economic development staff and are seeking to terminate the contract.
- The deal raises legal and ethical concerns, including lack of competition and potential conflict with federal anti‑fraud goals.
The controversy highlights the tension between tribal economic development efforts and the legacy of forced removal, as the nation grapples with the implications of partnering with ICE on detention center design.
Morgan J. Carter is a Texas-based journalist covering breaking news, local government, public safety, and community developments across Austin. With more than six years of reporting experience, Morgan focuses on delivering accurate, clear, and timely stories that reflect the fast-moving pulse of the city.
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