Key Takeaways
• On June 8, 2025 Glendale ended its ICE and HSI contract holding detainees in city jail.
• Since January 2025, 82 detainees stayed six to twelve hours at Glendale’s facility.
• Decision follows Los Angeles protests and complies with California’s sanctuary law SB 54.
On June 8, 2025, the City of Glendale, California made a major announcement: it would end its long-standing contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). This contract allowed federal immigration detainees to be held temporarily in the Glendale City Jail. The decision came after weeks of intense community pressure, criticism from civil rights groups, and large-scale Los Angeles protests against ICE enforcement actions. The move marks a significant shift in how local governments in California interact with federal immigration authorities, especially in the context of the state’s sanctuary laws.
What Happened in Glendale?
Who: The City of Glendale, led by City Manager Roubik Golanian, made the decision.
What: Glendale ended its contract with ICE and HSI, which allowed federal immigration detainees to be held in the city jail.
When: The announcement was made on Sunday, June 8, 2025.
Where: Glendale, California, a city in Los Angeles County.
Why: The contract was seen as divisive, raised concerns about public trust, and was criticized for possibly violating California’s sanctuary state laws.
How: After evaluating legal, operational, and community concerns, the city decided to terminate the agreement.
This decision did not happen in isolation. It followed days of protests in Los Angeles, where community members, activists, and civil rights organizations voiced strong opposition to ICE operations and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Background: The ICE Contract in Glendale
Glendale’s contract with ICE began in 2007. For nearly two decades, it allowed federal authorities to use the Glendale City Jail to temporarily hold people suspected of being in the United States 🇺🇸 without legal status. Here’s how the arrangement worked:
- Detainee Numbers: Since January 2025, 82 individuals detained by ICE were held in the Glendale City Jail.
- Length of Stay: Most detainees spent between six and twelve hours in the facility.
- Services Provided: The jail offered basic necessities—beds, food, water, and medical care. Detainees were not fingerprinted or formally booked by local authorities.
- No Minors: City officials stated that no minors were ever housed in the facility under this contract.
The contract was part of a larger pattern across the United States 🇺🇸, where local law enforcement agencies voluntarily partner with federal immigration authorities. According to ICE, agencies in 40 out of 50 states have at least one active agreement under the 287(g) Program. This program allows local police to help enforce federal immigration laws, but it has been controversial, especially in states like California that have passed laws to limit such cooperation.
Why Did Glendale End the ICE Contract?
The decision to end the ICE contract was driven by several important factors. City Manager Roubik Golanian explained that the city had to consider legal, operational, and community issues. Here are the main reasons:
1. Public Perception and Division
The city recognized that the ICE contract had become a source of division in the community. Even though the contract was limited and carefully managed, many residents saw it as a symbol of local support for federal immigration enforcement. The city stated, “The city recognizes that public perception of the ICE contract—no matter how limited or carefully managed, no matter the good—has become divisive.”
2. Community Trust
Glendale officials emphasized the importance of trust between the police department and the community. The city is often ranked as one of the safest in the country, and local leaders wanted to protect the strong relationship between law enforcement and residents. They said, “The Glendale Police Department is trusted and supported by the residents and businesses.”
3. Compliance with State Law
California’s Senate Bill 54 (SB 54), passed in 2017, made California the first sanctuary state in the United States 🇺🇸. This law prohibits state and local law enforcement from helping federal immigration authorities in certain ways, including using local facilities to hold immigration detainees. Glendale reaffirmed that its police department “does not enforce immigration laws and remains fully compliant with SB 54.”
4. Public Safety Concerns
City leaders said the decision was necessary to make sure Glendale residents and businesses would not “suffer the consequences of the unruly and unlawful behavior of others.” This was a reference to the unrest and protests that had erupted in Los Angeles over ICE enforcement actions.
5. Criticism from Civil Rights Groups
Civil rights organizations, especially the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), argued that the contract violated California law and extended federal deportation policies into local communities. Andres Kwon of the ACLU said, “Ultimately and effectively, this Glendale contract with ICE is helping the Trump administration carry out its mass deportation agenda that is racist and has abused countless peoples’ constitutional, civil, and human rights.”
The Legal and Policy Framework
To understand why this contract became so controversial, it’s important to look at the legal and policy context in California and the United States 🇺🇸.
California’s Sanctuary Laws
- Senate Bill 54 (SB 54): This law, also known as the California Values Act, limits how much local police can help federal immigration authorities. It bans local law enforcement from using their resources to help with immigration enforcement, except in very limited situations.
- Sanctuary State: California’s sanctuary laws reflect a broader approach to immigration enforcement. The state wants to protect immigrant communities and encourage trust between immigrants and local police.
Federal-Local Partnerships
Despite California’s restrictions, ICE continues to seek voluntary partnerships with local law enforcement across the country. The 287(g) Program is one example, where local police can help enforce federal immigration laws. You can read more about the 287(g) Program on the official ICE website.
Tension Between State and Federal Policies
California’s sanctuary laws often clash with federal immigration enforcement efforts. This tension has led to lawsuits, protests, and heated political debates, especially in cities like Glendale that have large immigrant populations.
Los Angeles Protests and Political Reactions
The decision to end the ICE contract in Glendale came during a period of unrest in Los Angeles. Over the weekend before the announcement, protests broke out as ICE conducted operations to remove undocumented immigrants from the area. The protests turned violent, drawing national attention.
- National Guard Deployment: President Trump sent the National Guard to Los Angeles in response to the protests.
- Political Divide: Democratic officials, including Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, criticized the Trump administration’s approach. They argued that the federal response was too harsh and did not respect California’s laws or values.
- Republican Support: Republican officials defended the federal actions. Senator James Lankford compared the unrest to the riots following George Floyd’s death in 2020, saying, “What President Trump is trying to do is say ‘This is not going to take weeks this time.’”
- Strong Language: Representative Norma Torres, a Democrat from California, reportedly told federal agents to “get the f*** out of LA so that order can be restored.”
These events put even more pressure on local governments like Glendale to reconsider their relationships with federal immigration authorities.
What Does This Mean for Stakeholders?
Ending the ICE contract in Glendale has several important consequences for different groups.
For Immigrants and Their Families
- Access to Legal Help: Glendale’s jail had allowed detainees to meet with lawyers and family members. Now, ICE will have to find other facilities, which may be farther away and harder for families and lawyers to reach.
- Detention Conditions: City officials said their facility provided clean accommodations, on-call medical care, and access to legal counsel and family visits. There are concerns that other facilities may not offer the same level of care or access.
For the Community
- Trust in Police: The decision is likely to strengthen trust between the Glendale Police Department and immigrant communities. Many residents felt the ICE contract made them less likely to report crimes or cooperate with police.
- Public Safety: City leaders hope that ending the contract will help keep the peace and prevent further unrest.
For ICE and Federal Authorities
- Finding New Facilities: ICE will need to find other places to temporarily hold detainees in the Los Angeles area. This could make their operations more difficult and expensive.
- Impact on Enforcement: The end of the contract may slow down some ICE operations in the region, at least in the short term.
For Local Governments
- Legal Compliance: Glendale’s decision sends a message to other cities in California about the importance of following state sanctuary laws.
- Political Pressure: Other cities with similar contracts may face increased pressure from activists and community members to end their agreements with ICE.
Statements from Key Stakeholders
Several people and organizations have spoken out about the decision:
- Andres Kwon (ACLU): Strongly criticized the contract, calling it an extension of the Trump administration’s “mass deportation agenda.”
- City of Glendale: Stressed that the decision was not political but based on public safety, local accountability, and trust.
- Rep. Norma Torres (D-CA): Used strong language to demand that federal agents leave Los Angeles.
- Sen. James Lankford (R-OK): Supported President Trump’s response to the protests and compared the unrest to previous national events.
The City of Glendale has promised to continue focusing on public safety, transparency, and fair treatment for everyone, regardless of immigration status. The city jail will now only be used for local law enforcement needs, not for federal immigration detention.
Broader Implications for Immigration Policy
Glendale’s decision is part of a larger trend in California and other states with sanctuary laws. Local governments are rethinking their relationships with federal immigration authorities, especially when those relationships create tension with local communities or violate state laws.
- Sanctuary Policies: These policies are designed to protect immigrants and encourage cooperation with local police. They are popular in many California cities but are often criticized by federal officials.
- Federal Pushback: The federal government, especially under President Trump, has tried to pressure local governments to cooperate with ICE. This has led to legal battles and political fights.
- Community Activism: Protests and activism, like the recent Los Angeles protests, play a big role in shaping local policy. Community members and civil rights groups have been effective in pushing for change.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the end of the ICE contract in Glendale may encourage other cities to review their own agreements with federal immigration authorities, especially in states with strong sanctuary laws.
What Should Immigrants and Community Members Do Now?
If you or someone you know is affected by ICE operations in the Los Angeles area, here are some steps to consider:
- Know Your Rights: Everyone in the United States 🇺🇸 has certain rights, regardless of immigration status. You have the right to remain silent and the right to speak with a lawyer.
- Find Legal Help: If you or a family member is detained, try to contact an immigration lawyer as soon as possible. The U.S. Department of Justice’s list of pro bono legal service providers can help you find free or low-cost legal help.
- Stay Informed: Follow updates from local governments, community organizations, and trusted news sources to stay aware of any changes in local policies or ICE operations.
- Get Involved: Community activism can make a difference. Many changes in immigration policy happen because people speak out and organize.
Conclusion: A Turning Point for Glendale and Beyond
The decision by Glendale to end its ICE contract is a major development in California’s ongoing debate over immigration enforcement. It reflects the growing influence of community activism, the power of state sanctuary laws, and the challenges local governments face when balancing federal demands with local values.
While the immediate impact will be felt by detainees, their families, and ICE operations in the Los Angeles area, the broader message is clear: local governments are willing to stand up for their communities and comply with state laws, even when it means breaking with federal authorities.
As the debate over immigration policy continues, Glendale’s experience offers important lessons for other cities, immigrants, and advocates across the United States 🇺🇸. The story is far from over, and the choices made in places like Glendale will shape the future of immigration enforcement for years to come.
Learn Today
ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a federal agency responsible for immigration enforcement and detention.
HSI → Homeland Security Investigations, a federal agency investigating immigration and customs violations.
Sanctuary Laws → State laws limiting local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities to protect immigrant communities.
287(g) Program → A federal program allowing local police to assist ICE with immigration enforcement under specific agreements.
SB 54 → California Senate Bill 54 that restricts local law enforcement from assisting federal immigration enforcement in most cases.
This Article in a Nutshell
Glendale, California terminated its ICE contract on June 8, 2025, ending detainee holds amid protests. The move reflects community pressure, sanctuary laws compliance, and aims to restore trust between police and residents against federal immigration enforcement tension.
— By VisaVerge.com
