California Law Blocks Federal Use of Closed Prisons for Immigration Detention

Key Takeaways

• California AB 32 banned private prisons and immigrant detention centers in 2019 to improve safety and reduce incarceration.
• 2024 Ninth Circuit ruling allows federal ICE contracts to use closed private prisons like CoreCivic California City.
• CoreCivic’s California City facility holds 2,560 detainees; ICE pays $10 million upfront with possible $31.2 million for six months.

As of July 2025, the debate over California Assembly Bill 32, private prisons, and immigration detention has reached a critical point. The federal government’s use of closed private prisons for immigration detention in California 🇺🇸 is now at the center of a legal and political struggle, with far-reaching effects for immigrants, state officials, private prison companies, and advocacy groups. This article explains what’s happening, why it matters, and what it means for people affected by these changes.

Federal Use of Closed Prisons for Immigration Detention: What’s Happening Now?

The main issue is whether the federal government can use closed private prisons in California 🇺🇸 to detain immigrants, even though the state passed a law to ban these facilities. In 2019, California lawmakers passed California Assembly Bill 32 (AB 32), which banned private prisons and private immigration detention centers in the state. The law was designed to protect immigrants and prisoners from unsafe conditions and to move away from for-profit incarceration.

However, in October 2024, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that California 🇺🇸 cannot stop the federal government from using private prisons for immigration detention. The court said that only the federal government has the power to decide how to enforce immigration laws, including where to detain people. This means that, despite California’s efforts, federal agencies like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can still lease and operate private prisons for immigration detention in the state.

The most recent and significant example is the CoreCivic California City facility. This large prison, which can hold up to 2,560 people, was closed by the state in March 2024 as part of its plan to end private prisons. But in 2025, CoreCivic reached an agreement with ICE to turn this closed prison into the largest immigration detention center in California 🇺🇸. The deal includes an initial payment of $10 million, with the possibility of up to $31.2 million for a six-month period starting in April 2025. Negotiations for a longer contract are still ongoing, and CoreCivic has not said when detainees will actually be moved in.

Why Did California Ban Private Prisons and Immigration Detention Centers?

California Assembly Bill 32 was passed in response to growing concerns about the safety and well-being of people held in private prisons and immigration detention centers. Reports from advocacy groups, journalists, and state officials described serious problems, including:

• Unsafe conditions: Overcrowding, poor sanitation, and lack of basic health care.
• Overuse of solitary confinement: Detainees sometimes spent long periods alone, which can harm mental health.
• Inadequate medical care: Many people did not get the treatment they needed for physical or mental health problems.

The law was also part of a larger movement in California 🇺🇸 to reduce incarceration, end for-profit prison contracts, and protect immigrant communities from harsh federal enforcement. State leaders, including Governor Gavin Newsom, argued that private companies should not profit from locking people up, especially when it comes to vulnerable immigrants.

The Legal Battle: State vs. Federal Authority

After AB 32 was passed, private prison companies and the federal government quickly challenged the law in court. The main argument was that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, and states cannot interfere with how the federal government chooses to detain people.

In October 2024, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a major decision. The court ruled that California 🇺🇸 cannot use AB 32 to block federal immigration detention contracts with private prison companies. The judges said that the U.S. Constitution gives the federal government the final say over immigration matters. As a result, the ban on private immigration detention centers does not apply to federal contracts, although it still applies to state prisons.

This ruling was a disappointment for California lawmakers and immigrant advocates, who had hoped to use state law to limit or end the use of private prisons for immigration detention. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this decision highlights the ongoing tension between state policies that aim to protect immigrants and the federal government’s authority over immigration enforcement.

How Is ICE Expanding Immigration Detention in California?

With the court’s decision in hand, ICE has moved quickly to expand its detention capacity in California 🇺🇸. The most high-profile move is the leasing of the closed CoreCivic California City facility. This prison, once used by the state, is now being converted into an immigration detention center under a new agreement between ICE and CoreCivic.

Key details about this development include:

• Facility size: The California City prison can hold up to 2,560 people, making it the largest immigration detention center in the state.
• Funding: ICE has agreed to pay CoreCivic $10 million up front, with the possibility of up to $31.2 million for a six-month period starting in April 2025.
• Contract status: Negotiations for a longer-term contract are ongoing, and it is not yet clear when detainees will be moved into the facility.

This move marks a major expansion of federal immigration detention in California 🇺🇸, despite the state’s efforts to close private prisons and reduce the number of people held in detention.

What Are the Main Concerns About Immigration Detention in Private Prisons?

Many immigrant rights groups, legal organizations, and state officials have raised concerns about the use of private prisons for immigration detention. Their main worries include:

• Health and safety: Reports have found that private detention centers often have poor conditions, including lack of medical care and unsafe living spaces.
• Mental health care: The California Attorney General’s 2025 report found that many detainees do not get the mental health services they need, which can lead to serious problems.
• Due process: Some detainees have trouble accessing legal help or understanding their rights, making it harder for them to fight their cases.
• Oversight: Private prison companies are not always transparent about how they run their facilities, making it difficult for the public and government officials to monitor conditions.

These concerns are especially important now that ICE is expanding its use of closed private prisons for immigration detention in California 🇺🇸.

Stakeholders: Who’s Involved and What Are They Saying?

Several key groups and individuals are involved in this ongoing debate:

• Governor Gavin Newsom: He has supported the ban on private prisons and immigration detention centers, but his ability to enforce the law is limited by the federal court ruling.
• California Attorney General Rob Bonta: He has released detailed reports on the conditions in immigration detention centers, calling for better mental health care and more oversight.
• CoreCivic: This private prison company is negotiating with ICE to operate the California City facility as an immigration detention center.
• ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement): The federal agency responsible for detaining immigrants and enforcing immigration laws.
• Immigrant advocacy groups: Organizations like the ACLU, Immigrant Legal Resource Center, and others continue to fight against the expansion of immigration detention and push for reforms.
• Detainees and their families: The people most directly affected by these policies, who often face uncertainty, fear, and difficult conditions while in detention.

Policy Implications: What Does This Mean for California’s Sanctuary Policies?

The federal court’s decision to allow ICE to use private prisons for immigration detention in California 🇺🇸 creates a big challenge for the state’s sanctuary policies. Sanctuary policies are rules that limit how much state and local officials can help with federal immigration enforcement. California 🇺🇸 has some of the strongest sanctuary laws in the country, but the federal government’s power over immigration means the state cannot fully block the use of private prisons for detention.

This situation means:

• ICE can legally operate private immigration detention centers in California 🇺🇸, even if the state government objects.
• California 🇺🇸 cannot stop the federal government from leasing closed private prisons for immigration detention.
• State officials and advocacy groups must look for other ways to protect detainees’ rights and improve conditions.

Ongoing Efforts and Future Developments

Despite the legal setbacks, California 🇺🇸 lawmakers and advocacy groups are not giving up. Several efforts are underway to address the ongoing challenges:

• New state bills: Lawmakers are considering new laws to limit the transfer of state prisoners to ICE detention and to regulate conditions like solitary confinement in detention centers. However, some of these bills have been vetoed or rejected in recent years.
• Oversight and reporting: The California Attorney General’s Office continues to monitor detention conditions and publish reports on problems like lack of mental health care and due process.
• Advocacy and litigation: Immigrant rights groups are expected to keep challenging federal detention policies in court and pushing for reforms at both the state and federal levels.
• Contract negotiations: ICE and CoreCivic are still working out the details of a long-term contract for the California City facility, and it is not yet clear how many people will be detained there or for how long.

What Does This Mean for Immigrants and Their Families?

For immigrants and their families in California 🇺🇸, these developments can be worrying. The expansion of immigration detention in private prisons means that more people could be held for longer periods, often far from their homes and support networks. Concerns about health, safety, and access to legal help remain high.

If you or someone you know is affected by immigration detention in California 🇺🇸, it is important to:

• Know your rights: Detainees have the right to legal representation, medical care, and fair treatment. Resources are available from groups like the ACLU and Immigrant Legal Resource Center.
• Stay informed: Follow updates from the California Attorney General’s Office and advocacy organizations for the latest information on detention policies and conditions.
• Seek help: Legal aid organizations and community groups can provide support and assistance to detainees and their families.

Official Resources and Where to Learn More

For readers seeking more information about immigration detention policies and facility operations, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) website provides official updates and resources: ICE Detention Management.

You can also find detailed reports on detention conditions and policy updates from the California Attorney General’s Office and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).

Summary Table: Key Facts at a Glance

Takeaways and Next Steps

The struggle over California Assembly Bill 32, private prisons, and immigration detention is far from over. While the federal government currently has the legal right to use closed private prisons for immigration detention in California 🇺🇸, state officials, advocacy groups, and affected families continue to push for safer, fairer, and more humane treatment of detainees.

If you are concerned about these issues, consider:

• Contacting your state representatives to share your views on immigration detention and private prisons.
• Supporting advocacy organizations that work to protect the rights of immigrants and detainees.
• Staying informed about new laws, court decisions, and facility conditions through official government websites and trusted news sources.

As the situation continues to change, it is important for everyone—immigrants, families, advocates, and policymakers—to stay engaged and work toward solutions that respect both the law and the dignity of all people involved.

For more detailed analysis and updates on immigration detention and related policies, VisaVerge.com reports that ongoing legal and political developments will shape the future of immigration enforcement in California 🇺🇸 and beyond.

Learn Today

California Assembly Bill 32 (AB 32) → A 2019 law banning private prisons and immigration detention centers in California to enhance safety and reduce incarceration.
CoreCivic → A private prison company operating facilities, including California City prison, involved in immigration detention contracts.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) → Federal agency that enforces immigration laws and detains immigrants within the U.S.
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals → Federal appellate court whose 2024 ruling allowed federal use of private prisons despite California’s ban.
Private Prisons → For-profit incarceration facilities used by governments to hold inmates or immigration detainees.

This Article in a Nutshell

California’s ban on private prisons faces challenge after federal court lets ICE use closed facilities. CoreCivic’s California City prison reopens, raising concerns about detainee conditions and state-federal tensions over immigration enforcement amid policy and legal battles.
— By VisaVerge.com