The Trump administration has begun transporting immigration detainees to a private prison in the California desert, sparking backlash from immigrant rights groups who say the facility is operating illegally and endangering detainees.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement started moving detainees on Aug. 29 to the California City Correctional Facility, a former state prison run by CoreCivic, officials confirmed. With more than 2,500 beds, the site is expected to become California’s largest immigration detention center.
Activists say the reopening violates state law requiring public notice and hearings before any detention center launches. City officials previously warned CoreCivic that the facility failed a fire inspection and could strain water supplies.
CoreCivic spokesperson Ryan Gustin acknowledged the company is housing detainees for ICE and the U.S. Marshals Service but declined to confirm whether the facility has a valid business license. The Department of Homeland Security has already awarded CoreCivic a contract worth up to $13.5 million, and the company is hiring staff.
“This opening is going to mean more violent raids across California,” warned Marcela Hernandez of Detention Watch Network, who accused officials of sidestepping transparency requirements.
Despite local objections and safety concerns, CoreCivic continues to move forward with operations, positioning the facility as central to the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.
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