Clearfield County Extends Moshannon Valley Detention Center Contract

The Clearfield County Board of Commissioners voted 2-1 on September 23, 2026, to approve a six-month, $100,000 contract extension with the Department of Homeland Security to continue operations at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center. The facility, located in Decatur Township, is the largest immigration detention center in the Northeast. Under the current arrangement, the county acts as an intermediary between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the GEO Group, the private company that owns and operates the site, earning the county $200,000 annually.

Commissioners Tim Winters and John Sobel supported the extension to preserve property tax revenue for the Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District and maintain local oversight. Commissioner Dave Glass voted against the measure, arguing that the county should not be involved in federal immigration matters. District Attorney Ryan Sayers spoke in favor of the facility, citing the rule of law.

The decision faced protests from community members and the ACLU, who alleged inhumane conditions, including poor water quality and inadequate medical care. The GEO Group has disputed these claims, asserting compliance with federal standards. The extension expires in March 2027, and the facility's long-term status remains uncertain as ICE evaluates whether to purchase the facility or contract directly with the GEO Group, which would remove the county from the agreement.