The Supreme Court is set to hear a significant case involving a private prison operator and the wages paid to immigration detainees. The case centers around a lawsuit alleging that detainees were illegally compensated just $1 per day for their work.

A lower court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit, rejected the private prison operator’s claim of governmental immunity. This is despite the company’s status as a federal contractor. The core legal question hinges on sovereign immunity – the principle protecting governments from lawsuits unless they explicitly consent. The case further delves into the concept of derivative sovereign immunity, also known as Yearsley immunity, which extends this protection to companies contracted by the government.

This Supreme Court review will have major implications for the rights of detained individuals and the liability of private companies working with the federal government. The outcome will likely shape future legal battles involving similar situations.