- Details
- By Levi Rickert
The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation on Tuesday terminated senior management of its economic development corporation after a tribal subsidiary secured a $29.9 million federal contract to design potential U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facilities.
The prime contract, awarded by the Department of Homeland Security to KPB Services LLC, supports early-phase planning, including research, technical assessments and concept designs for secure structures that meet ICE operating requirements. The award does not involve construction or the operation of detention centers, according to federal procurement documents.
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In a joint statement, the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and Prairie Band LLC acknowledged community concerns about the Homeland Security contract and the process that led to its approval.
“Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and Prairie Band LLC understand the concerns raised about a recently awarded Department of Homeland Security planning contract that involves feasibility studies and technical assessments,” the statement said. “As a sovereign Nation, our values guide the decisions we make, and we acknowledge that this contract does not align with those principles.”
The Tribal Council and the board of Prairie Band LLC said they terminated senior members of the LLC’s leadership team responsible for securing the award.
“Moving forward, we are also taking a closer look at the internal review and approval process for federal contracts,” the statement said, adding that new safeguards and reporting requirements will be implemented to prevent similar issues.
“We recognize the weight this news carries for so many, as well as the feelings of anger, confusion and disappointment it caused. We hear those concerns,” the Nation said. “As a Nation, we take seriously our responsibility to ensure all future engagements align clearly with our values and mission.”
KPB Services was registered in April by Prairie Band LLC Executive Vice President Ernest Woodward as part of the corporation’s broader strategy to enter federal procurement markets. The firm had positioned itself to pursue planning and technical support contracts across multiple agencies, though the specific ICE-related work drew immediate backlash from tribal citizens once details became public.
The Prairie Band contract reflects a broader pattern of Native entities securing federal immigration work. Alaska Native Corporations have held hundreds of millions of dollars in ICE contracts over the past decade, including detention facility operations, guard services and border patrol support.
NANA Regional Corporation, one of Alaska's largest Alaska Native Corporations, has faced criticism over its growing role in immigration enforcement operations under the Trump administration. Other Alaska Native Corporations, including subsidiaries of Bering Straits Native Corporation, Ahtna Inc. and Doyon Ltd., have operated ICE detention facilities in Texas and California.
Prairie Band LLC, wholly owned by the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, oversees businesses in construction, professional services and government contracting. The $29.9 million award is among the largest federal contracts received by a Prairie Band enterprise and reflects a growing tribal presence in sectors historically dominated by private firms.
Tribal officials said revenue from federal contracts supports government programs, economic development and long-term financial growth for the Nation, but emphasized that future opportunities must advance — not conflict with — the Nation’s core values.
Brian Edwards provided additional reporting.
Editor's Note: Levi Rickert is a tribal citizen of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.
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