CoreCivic's revenue grew in the latest quarter as the prison operator housed more detainees from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The Brentwood, Tenn., company posted a second-quarter profit of $37.1 million, or 37 cents a share, compared with $38.5 million, or 35 cents a share, a year earlier.

Adjusted earnings per share were 38 cents, topping FactSet analyst estimates of 34 cents.

Revenue climbed 27% to $684.9 million, above analyst estimates of $618.6 million.

The company said revenue from its federal customers-which primarily include ICE and the U.S Marshals Service-rose 27% year over year, and made up more than half of its overall topline in the quarter.

The growth in federal revenue was primarily due to increased occupancy at certain facilities, particularly those where CoreCivic has contracts with ICE, and per diem increases, the company said.

For the full year, the company now expects earnings per share of $15 to $15.20, up from $1.51 to $1.61 previously. The updated outlook reflects the gain on sales of four facilities the company sold, which will be reported in the third quarter, and by the repayment of $608.5 million of debt.

CoreCivic now forecasts full-year adjusted earnings per share of $1.62 to $1.70, up from its prior guidance of $1.53 to $1.63.

The new guidance factors in modestly higher residential populations compared with the previous forecast based on recent trends, as well as an increase in general and administrative expenses, the company said.