Facility
county-jail
Operational
Geauga County Safety Center — Secret ICE contract, ACLU lawsuit
Geauga, OH
FIPS 39055
~50 ICE beds daily
Bed capacity
Operator: Geauga County Sheriff
Overview
The Geauga County Safety Center in Chardon (east of Cleveland) is one of two original Ohio ICE detention sites, operating before the 2025 expansion. It has become a flashpoint for transparency issues after the county refused to release its ICE contract, leading to an ACLU of Ohio lawsuit that went to the Ohio Supreme Court.
Key Details
- Average daily ICE population: ~50 since Trump inauguration; ~51/day in two months prior
- Pre-2025 status: Already had IGSA contract before Trump’s second term
- Contract secrecy: County refuses to release ICE contract publicly, claiming only ICE can release it
- ACLU lawsuit: Filed May 2025, asking Ohio Supreme Court to issue a writ mandating release of the contract between ICE and Geauga County
- County’s argument: Federal law restricts release; ACLU contends contract between two public entities is a public document
- Part of the $13.2M: One of six Ohio facilities collectively receiving $13.2M+ from ICE in 2025
- 287(g): Listed among counties with 287(g) agreements by ACLU of Ohio
Sources
- Geauga County continues its fight to keep ICE contract secret - Ohio Capital Journal (Jun 20, 2025)
- Geauga County sued to release contract for ICE detainees - Ohio Capital Journal (May 20, 2025)
- ICE has detained dozens daily at Geauga County Jail - Axios Cleveland (Jun 16, 2025)
- Geauga County continues fight - Cleveland Scene