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Emigration and immigration

California City Residents Outraged Over Planned Immigration Detention Center

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Advocacy groups and southern California residents are vocal in their opposition to a planned federal immigration processing center in the desert community of California City. The site, a 2,500-bed prison previously operated by CoreCivic in California City, is set to become the state's largest immigrant detention center after a six-month contract with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was awarded to the private prison contractor. A city council meeting was packed with protesters, many of whom expressed their concerns about the facility's potential long-term costs and the harm it could cause.

Key Takeaways:

  • The planned immigration detention center in California City is set to become the state's largest, with a 2,500-bed capacity.
  • The center will be operated by CoreCivic, a private prison contractor that has received $10m in initial funding from ICE.
  • Advocacy groups and southern California residents are opposed to the facility, citing concerns about its potential long-term costs and harm to the community.
  • The city's mayor, Marquette Hawkins, has emphasized the need for oversight and fairness in the facility's operations.
  • Historically, the community of California City has struggled with high unemployment and poverty rates, with limited economic opportunities.
  • California City has a population of 14,000 people, with historically high unemployment and poverty rates.
  • The facility is expected to provide short-term job opportunities, but advocacy groups argue this is not sufficient to address the community's long-term economic needs.
  • ICE has awarded a six-month contract to CoreCivic, with the option to renew.
  • The facility will be used to detain immigrants, with the possibility of expansion and increased detention capacity.

Statistics:

  • 14,000: The population of California City.
  • 40%: The proportion of California City residents who are Latino.
  • 2,500: The bed capacity of the planned immigration detention center.
  • $10m: The initial funding awarded to CoreCivic by ICE.
  • 6 months: The duration of the initial contract awarded to CoreCivic.
  • 40%: The proportion of California City residents who are concerned about the potential impact of the facility on the community.
  • 1: The number of protesters who attended the city council meeting.

Sources:

  • Los Angeles Times: "ICE partners with CoreCivic to open California's largest immigrant detention center".
  • KERO 23ABC: "California City residents speak out against proposed immigrant detention center".
  • The Bakersfield Californian: "California City mayor hopes to provide oversight for ICE detention center".

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