Leavenworth, Kan. – April 23, 2025 – CoreCivic, a long-time partner in Leavenworth going back almost 30 years, has been working on an opportunity to meet the needs of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at its Midwest Regional Reception Center (MRRC).

As of Monday, April 21, 1,000 people have already applied for the approximately 300 new, good-paying jobs this partnership with ICE would create. CoreCivic is working to make MRRC an attractive option for public service-oriented job seekers with a starting salary of $28.25/hour, along with competitive benefits like health coverage, retirement benefits and even tuition assistance. 16 people are already employed at the facility full-time. 

Over the last 5 months, CoreCivic has also spent about $400,000 working with local businesses and contractors in Leavenworth to support MRRC. 

In addition to creating jobs and economic opportunity for local citizens, CoreCivic has committed to paying the city of Leavenworth a one-time impact fee of $1,000,000, a $250,000 annual impact fee, and an additional $150,000 annual impact fee to the police department. This is in addition to the over $1,000,000 in annual property taxes CoreCivic already pays.

“Despite what politically extreme outsider groups are saying, potential new employees and local business partners are excited to be part of what we’re creating in Leavenworth,” said Warden Misty Mackey of MRRC. “We’re looking forward to operating a safe, transparent, accountable facility that will be a positive for this community dedicated to public service.”