Two major Democratic political organizations drew scrutiny this week for accepting six-figure donations from CoreCivic, a private prison company that is also a significant contractor for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as Democratic politicians criticized federal immigration enforcement practices.

According to a POLITICO review of campaign finance records, both the Democratic Governors Association (DGA), which is chaired by Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, and the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association (DLGA), received substantial funds from CoreCivic.

The two organizations took different approaches once the contributions became public. 

DLGA spokesperson Christina Freundlich told POLITICO that the lieutenant governors’ group will be “donating any 2024-2025 contributions from CoreCivic to the National Immigration Law Center,” a nonprofit that advocates for immigrant rights, and will “no longer accept” future funds from the company.

The DGA defended keeping the money, stating, “We strongly condemn the Trump administration’s appalling immigration tactics, and the only way to stop them is by electing more Democrats.” 

The spokesperson added, “Every contribution to the DGA helps elect Democratic governors and none of them have any impact on policy decisions made by governors.”