Glendale Jail Continues Holding ICE Detainees Amid Rising Arrests

Key Takeaways

• Glendale City Jail holds at least 2 ICE detainees despite California’s SB 54 sanctuary law.
• ICE arrests rose to 22,929 in Southern California in March 2025, increasing detention demand.
• Glendale contract with ICE started in 2007 and provides short-term holding, not enforcement.

As of June 2025, the Glendale City Jail in Glendale, California, stands out as one of the few local jails in the state still holding ICE detainees. This comes at a time when immigration arrests are rising across Southern California, and most other cities have ended similar agreements due to California’s strict “sanctuary” laws. The situation in Glendale raises important questions about how local and federal authorities work together, what rights detainees have, and what this means for families, advocates, and the broader community.

Glendale City Jail’s Unique Role in ICE Detention

The Glendale City Jail is operated by the Glendale Police Department and has a capacity of 96 beds. Unlike most jails in California, it continues to hold individuals for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In the past week alone, at least two people were confirmed to be held there as ICE detainees, though the actual number may be higher. This makes Glendale an exception in a state known for its efforts to limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

City officials say their contract with ICE, which began in 2007, is still in place and complies with California’s Senate Bill 54 (SB 54), the “sanctuary state” law passed in 2017. SB 54 restricts, but does not completely ban, local law enforcement from helping federal immigration authorities. Glendale’s leaders argue that their role is limited—they only provide temporary holding space and do not book or process detainees.

Why Is Glendale Still Holding ICE Detainees?

Most cities in California have ended their contracts with ICE since SB 54 became law. Glendale, however, has kept its agreement, saying it is necessary to help manage the overflow of detainees as immigration arrests increase. According to Annette Ghazarian, a spokesperson for the Glendale City Council, the city only provides short-term holding and does not take part in immigration enforcement actions.

Councilmember Elen Asatryan has also stressed that the city is not involved in ICE operations and that detainees are given basic necessities like food and water. This position is meant to show that Glendale is following the law while also treating people in custody humanely.

The Rise in Immigration Arrests and Detention Needs

The decision to keep the contract comes as ICE steps up its enforcement efforts in Southern California. In March 2025, ICE arrested 19,125 people, while Customs and Border Protection (CBP) arrested another 3,804. That means a total of 22,929 people were booked into ICE detention that month. Nationwide, the number of people held in ICE detention reached about 47,928 in April 2025.

ICE has roughly 7,000 detention beds in California, most of them in six privately run facilities. But as arrests have increased, ICE has looked for more places to hold people, including local jails like Glendale. In fact, the number of facilities detaining migrants across the United States 🇺🇸 has jumped by 30% in just six months, from 111 in October 2024 to 144 in March 2025. This expansion is due to new deals with local law enforcement and private contractors.

Richard Beam, an ICE spokesperson, explained that the rise in enforcement has created a need for more detention space. ICE is now exploring all options to make sure it can meet current and future needs.

How the Glendale City Jail Process Works

When someone is arrested by ICE in the Los Angeles area, the process usually follows these steps:

1. Arrest and Detention: ICE officers arrest individuals, often as they leave courtrooms or during targeted operations.
2. Temporary Holding: Some of these individuals are placed in the Glendale City Jail under the city’s contract with ICE. The jail serves as a short-term holding facility.
3. Transfer or Release: Detainees are either moved to larger, long-term ICE detention centers or released after their immigration hearings or other legal steps.
4. Oversight and Reporting: The California Department of Justice (DOJ) reviews and reports on conditions in immigration detention facilities, though Glendale is not one of the six main facilities reviewed under current law.

Detainees are not held at Glendale indefinitely. The city’s role is to provide a temporary place to stay before people are either transferred or released.

What the Law Says: SB 54 and Glendale’s Contract

California’s SB 54, also known as the “sanctuary state” law, was passed in 2017 to limit how much local police and sheriffs can help federal immigration authorities. The law does not completely ban cooperation, but it does set strict rules. Glendale’s contract with ICE began in 2007, before SB 54 was passed. City leaders say their agreement follows the law because they only provide holding space and do not help with enforcement or processing.

This position has made Glendale a focal point for both criticism and support. Some see the contract as necessary to manage the growing number of detainees, while others argue it goes against the spirit of California’s sanctuary policies.

Stakeholder Perspectives: City, ICE, Advocates, and State Officials

City Officials

Glendale’s city leaders defend the contract as both legal and humane. They say the city is not involved in federal immigration enforcement and only provides a temporary place for ICE detainees. They also point out that detainees are given food, water, and basic care while in custody.

ICE

For ICE, the arrangement with Glendale is important. With more immigration arrests and limited space in private detention centers, local jails like Glendale help ease overcrowding. ICE spokesperson Richard Beam said the agency is looking for all possible options to meet its growing needs.

Immigrant Rights Advocates

Advocates for immigrants have raised concerns about the Glendale contract. They argue that such agreements weaken California’s sanctuary laws and may put detainees at risk of poor conditions or lack of legal protections. They also worry about transparency and oversight, since the exact number of ICE detainees held in Glendale is not made public.

California State Government

The California DOJ, led by Attorney General Rob Bonta, continues to monitor and report on conditions in immigration detention centers. The DOJ has highlighted ongoing problems, such as mental health care and compliance with detention standards. Oversight is seen as especially important as federal enforcement increases.

Detention Conditions and Oversight

While Glendale is not one of the six main facilities reviewed by the California DOJ, the agency’s reports have found ongoing issues in other detention centers. These include problems with mental health care, living conditions, and making sure detainees’ rights are protected. The DOJ stresses the need for strong oversight, especially as more people are being detained.

According to analysis from VisaVerge.com, the growing number of ICE detainees and facilities shows a clear trend toward expanding detention capacity through new agreements with local governments like Glendale. This makes oversight and transparency even more important for protecting detainees’ rights.

Key Numbers: ICE Detainees and Detention Trends

Here are some important facts about ICE detention in California and nationwide:

• Glendale City Jail Capacity: 96 beds
• ICE Detainees Held in Glendale (recent week): At least 2 confirmed, total number not disclosed
• ICE Detention Beds in California: About 7,000, mostly in private facilities
• Total ICE Detained Population (U.S.): About 47,928 as of April 2025
• Average Length of Stay for ICE-Arrested Individuals: 40 days in April 2025 (down from 52 days in January)
• Number of Facilities Detaining Migrants (U.S.): Increased from 111 in October 2024 to 144 in March 2025

These numbers show that while the daily population in detention may not be rising quickly, the turnover is much higher. More people are being arrested, processed, and either deported or released in a shorter time.

Implications for Immigrants, Families, and the Community

The continued use of the Glendale City Jail for ICE detainees has real effects on many people:

• For Immigrants and Their Families: The uncertainty about where a loved one is being held can be stressful. Since the number of ICE detainees in Glendale is not made public, families may have trouble finding information.
• For Advocates: The lack of transparency and oversight raises concerns about detainees’ rights and well-being.
• For the Community: Glendale’s contract with ICE has become a point of debate, with some residents supporting the city’s actions and others calling for an end to the agreement.

Oversight and Reporting: California DOJ and AB 103

The California DOJ is required to monitor and report on conditions in immigration detention centers under Assembly Bill 103. This oversight will continue through at least July 1, 2027. While Glendale is not one of the main facilities reviewed, the DOJ’s work highlights the need for strong protections for all detainees, no matter where they are held.

For more information on the DOJ’s oversight and reports, readers can visit the official California Department of Justice immigration detention oversight page.

Historical Context: How Glendale Became an Outlier

Glendale’s contract with ICE started in 2007, well before California passed its sanctuary law. Most other cities in the state have ended similar agreements, but Glendale has kept its contract, saying it is needed to help manage the overflow of detainees. The use of local jails for ICE detainees has become more controversial in recent years, especially as federal enforcement has increased.

What’s Next? The Future of ICE Detention in Glendale and Beyond

ICE is actively working to expand its detention network in California and across the United States 🇺🇸. This includes making new deals with local law enforcement and private companies. The California DOJ will keep monitoring detention conditions, and debates over sanctuary policies and federal-local cooperation are likely to continue.

There is also the possibility of legal or legislative challenges to Glendale’s contract in the future. As more attention is paid to how local jails are used for ICE detainees, the city may face pressure to change its policies.

Practical Guidance for Affected Individuals

If you or someone you know may be affected by ICE detention in Glendale or elsewhere, here are some steps you can take:

• Contact the Glendale Police Department for information about detainee status or jail operations.
• Call the ICE public tip line at 866-347-2423 for updates or to report concerns.
• Check the ICE newsroom at ice.gov/newsroom for official news and updates.
• Review California DOJ reports for information on detention conditions and oversight.
• Use TRAC Immigration’s tools at tracreports.org to find data and analysis on immigration detention trends.

Summary Table: Key Facts

Takeaways and Next Steps

The Glendale City Jail’s continued role in holding ICE detainees highlights the complex relationship between local and federal authorities in California. As immigration arrests increase and detention needs grow, Glendale’s contract with ICE remains a rare exception in a state that has tried to limit such cooperation.

For immigrants, families, and advocates, the situation underscores the importance of knowing your rights, staying informed, and seeking help when needed. For city officials and policymakers, it raises ongoing questions about transparency, oversight, and the best way to balance public safety with humane treatment.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the trend toward expanding ICE detention through local agreements like Glendale’s is likely to continue, making oversight and community involvement more important than ever.

For the most current information, always check with the Glendale Police Department, ICE newsroom, and the California DOJ. If you need legal help or want to know more about your rights, consider reaching out to a trusted immigration attorney or local advocacy group.

Learn Today

ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency managing immigration detention and enforcement across the country.
SB 54 → California sanctuary law limiting local police cooperation with federal immigration enforcement since 2017.
Detention Bed → A unit of prison capacity designated for holding detainees temporarily or long-term.
Sanctuary State → A state that restricts local agency cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Assembly Bill 103 → California law requiring DOJ oversight and reporting on immigration detention facility conditions.

This Article in a Nutshell

Glendale City Jail uniquely holds ICE detainees amid California sanctuary laws. With rising immigration arrests, local jails like Glendale help manage detention overflow while navigating legal and ethical complexities in federal and local cooperation on immigration enforcement.
— By VisaVerge.com