Executive Summary

California is home to eight immigration detention facilities, with the capacity to hold more than 7,400 individuals at any given time. These facilities, used to house those in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs and Enforcement (ICE) are operated almost exclusively by private, for-profit corporations. These detention facilities have been plagued with violations of federal detention standards, California law, and detained people’s civil rights. To date, federal oversight of these facilities has proven ineffective and lacking in accountability. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has not only highlighted the failure of accountability and oversight in these facilities, but has demonstrated the clear need for the state of California to act to protect the health and safety of individuals in these facilities. California was the site of the first COVID-19 related death in detention in the entire nation, and conditions in the facilities were among the most egregious in the country. In fact, a federal judge ruled that both ICE and the private operator GEO Group “showed a deliberate indifference to the safety of the detainees.”

Under established state police powers, California possesses unique authority to take affirmative steps to address the health and safety of individuals in these detention facilities. In addition, a series of recent laws have  expanded and clarified the state’s police powers with respect to individuals detained in California. Specifically, AB 103 allows the California Department of Justice (Cal DOJ) to review the health and safety conditions of  immigrant detention facilities. According to the CAL DOJ, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) also exercises broad discretion over the health and safety of individuals in ICE detention facilities in the state. While California has exercised its right under these laws, it has failed to take any concrete steps to seek accountability. 

While California has passed legislation to close private detention facilities, the exact timeline for closure of these facilities remains at issue, and therefore additional steps must be taken by the state.  California can and must do more to not only ensure the basic human rights of individuals held in ICE detention, but to seek accountability for violations of the law that result in harm to California residents and to our communities. 

This brief documents systematic violations of detention standards, public health orders, disability law, and California law. It provides a roadmap for oversight and accountability, and specific policy recommendations to remedy the challenges posed by these facilities. 

Key Policy Recommendations

CAL DOJ – Seek accountability from private operators, by taking legal action against private corporations operating detention facilities when they violate public health protocols, or state law.

CAL Governor – Support bills, policies, and litigation designed to end the unnecessary detention of immigrants in California.

CDPH – Provide clear guidance regarding the roles and responsibilities of public health officials with respect to immigrant detention facilities.

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