DistantNews
Support us
ICE's new strategy in California: Why it's buying detention centers instead of renting
🇦🇷 Argentina /Crime & Justice

ICE's new strategy in California: Why it's buying detention centers instead of renting

From La Nación · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) purchased two detention facilities in California for nearly $1.5 billion, shifting from a leasing model.
  • The move aims to secure West Coast detention capacity amid state resistance and avoid state/local regulations by owning the facilities directly.
  • California has enacted laws to phase out private prisons, leading to legal disputes and increased taxes, prompting ICE's strategic acquisition.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has adopted a new strategy in California, purchasing two detention facilities from CoreCivic for nearly $1.5 billion. This significant acquisition marks a shift from its previous practice of leasing such sites and aims to secure long-term detention capacity on the West Coast.

According to CalMatters, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) views direct ownership as a way to circumvent state and local resistance. ICE spokesperson Jason Sweeney described the facilities in Otay Mesa and California City as "crucial" for the agency's regional network. Owning the centers directly reduces ICE's exposure to state laws, inspections, and potential objections, especially as California authorities have been less cooperative in providing spaces for migrant housing compared to states like Florida or Oklahoma.

Crucial for the agency's regional network.

— Jason SweeneyAn ICE spokesperson described the importance of the newly acquired detention facilities.

California has been actively working to phase out private, for-profit prisons and detention centers. A 2019 law signed by Governor Gavin Newsom aimed to gradually eliminate these facilities by 2028. This move was met with legal challenges from companies like GEO Group and the U.S. government, who argued it violated the Constitution's Supremacy Clause. Although a federal appeals court later overturned the ban on privately operated facilities, California lawmakers have pursued other measures, including significant taxes designed to make these establishments financially unviable.

ICE's decision to purchase the facilities is also seen as a response to ongoing disputes over living conditions and oversight. For instance, California Attorney General Rob Bonta has raised concerns about "dangerous and inadequate" conditions at the California City facility. By owning the centers, ICE hopes to limit the scope of state and local regulatory controls and ensure a more stable operational environment for its detention activities.

Dangerous and inadequate conditions.

— Rob BontaThe California Attorney General's office previously raised concerns about the conditions at one of the ICE facilities.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog