Key Takeaways
• ICE signed a $10 million, six-month contract with CoreCivic to reopen California City Correctional Facility.
• Facility will more than double California’s migrant detention capacity to 2,560 beds.
• Federal court cleared use of closed state prisons despite California’s private prison ban.
On June 20, 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) finalized a deal with CoreCivic, a major private prison company, to convert the shuttered California City Correctional Facility in Kern County into the largest migrant detention center in California 🇺🇸. This move comes as part of the Trump administration’s push to expand detention capacity nationwide, responding to what officials call a “compelling urgency” to detain more migrants. The agreement, which provides $10 million in startup funding for an initial six-month period, marks a major shift in how closed state prisons are being used and has sparked strong reactions from state leaders, advocacy groups, and the public.
Why Is ICE Expanding Detention in California?
The Trump administration has made expanding immigration detention a top priority. ICE is currently funded for about 41,500 detention beds across the United States 🇺🇸, but the administration has set a goal to increase this number to 100,000 beds. California 🇺🇸, which currently detains around 3,200 migrants, will see its capacity more than double with the reopening of the California City Correctional Facility. This facility, with space for 2,560 people, will become the state’s largest migrant detention center once renovations are complete.
Officials say the expansion is needed to enforce immigration laws more strictly and to manage the growing number of people being detained for immigration violations. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this rapid growth in detention is being driven by emergency contracts and legal workarounds, especially in states like California 🇺🇸 that have tried to limit the use of private prisons.
How Did the California City Correctional Facility Become a Target?
The California City Correctional Facility was originally a private state prison operated by CoreCivic. In 2019, California 🇺🇸 passed a law banning private prisons for state use, which led to the closure of several facilities, including California City. The state officially ended its lease in March 2024, hoping to reduce incarceration and save money—closing three state prisons was projected to save nearly $900 million each year. However, keeping these prisons in “warm shutdown” status (meaning they are closed but maintained for possible future use) has still cost California 🇺🇸 about $300 million.
Despite the state’s efforts, a federal court ruled in 2024 that California’s private prison ban does not stop the federal government from contracting with private prison companies for immigration detention. This legal decision opened the door for ICE and CoreCivic to move forward with their agreement, even though state leaders like Governor Gavin Newsom have strongly opposed the federal use of shuttered state prisons.
What Does the ICE and CoreCivic Agreement Involve?
The contract between ICE and CoreCivic is a no-bid, emergency procurement. This means the contract was not opened to competition, and ICE cited “compelling urgency” as the reason for moving quickly. The initial agreement covers six months and includes $10 million in startup funding to renovate and reopen the facility. If the contract is renewed, the facility could remain in use for much longer.
The process for converting the facility follows several steps:
- Facility Identification: ICE looks for closed or underused prisons that can be quickly converted for immigration detention.
- Contract Negotiation: ICE negotiates directly with private prison companies like CoreCivic, often using emergency rules to skip the usual bidding process.
- Facility Renovation: Startup funds are used to make necessary repairs and upgrades so the facility meets federal standards.
- Operational Launch: The facility is staffed, equipped, and begins receiving detainees, sometimes within just a few months.
- Ongoing Oversight: The facility operates under federal rules, with regular reviews and the possibility of contract renewal or expansion.
Who Are the Key Stakeholders?
Several groups are directly involved or affected by this development:
- ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement): The federal agency responsible for immigration detention and enforcement.
- CoreCivic: The private company operating the California City Correctional Facility under contract with ICE.
- Governor Gavin Newsom and California State Officials: Oppose the federal use of closed state prisons for immigration detention but have limited power due to federal court rulings.
- Advocacy Groups: Organizations like Californians United for a Responsible Budget (CURB) and the ACLU have strongly criticized the expansion, calling for permanent closure of shuttered prisons to prevent federal repurposing.
- Federal Lawmakers: The Senate Appropriations Committee has questioned the Trump administration’s use of emergency funding and no-bid contracts for detention expansion.
What Are the Main Concerns and Criticisms?
Human Rights and Legal Concerns
Advocates and legal experts warn that expanding detention in former prisons will worsen problems like poor living conditions, limited access to legal help, and violations of due process. Many of the people detained have not committed any crimes other than immigration violations. The use of a facility designed as a prison raises questions about whether detainees will have enough access to lawyers, medical care, and family visits.
Eunice Cho, a senior staff attorney with the ACLU National Prison Project, said, “This expansion is a disastrous waste of billions of taxpayer dollars that will only line the coffers of the private prison industry.” Advocacy groups argue that the move undermines California’s efforts to reduce incarceration and protect the rights of immigrants.
Fiscal Responsibility and Oversight
The expansion is expected to cost billions of dollars, with ICE requesting up to $45 billion over two years for new detention facilities and related services. The use of emergency, no-bid contracts has raised concerns about oversight and whether taxpayer money is being spent wisely. The Senate Appropriations Committee sent a bipartisan letter challenging the Trump administration’s use of emergency funding for detention expansion, questioning the lack of transparency and competition in awarding contracts.
State vs. Federal Authority
California 🇺🇸 has tried to limit the use of private prisons and reduce its prison population, but federal actions have made these efforts difficult. Keeping closed prisons in “warm shutdown” status leaves them open to federal takeover, as seen with the California City Correctional Facility. Governor Newsom and state lawmakers may consider new laws or budget controls to prevent further federal use of shuttered state prisons.
Brian Kaneda, Deputy Director of CURB, summed up the concern: “ICE is looking for cages, and California’s shuttered prisons are ideal targets unless Governor Newsom takes immediate action to close them for good.”
What Does This Mean for Migrants?
For migrants, the expansion means a much higher chance of being detained in California 🇺🇸, even if they have not committed any crimes beyond immigration violations. Detention can separate families, make it harder to find legal help, and increase the risk of poor treatment. The use of a former prison as a detention center raises fears about harsh conditions and lack of support for vulnerable people.
Legal experts and advocates warn that the rapid expansion of detention will strain legal resources, making it even harder for migrants to get fair hearings or challenge their detention. There are also concerns about the mental and physical health of people held in large, remote facilities.
How Are Private Prison Companies Involved?
CoreCivic, the company operating the California City Correctional Facility, stands to make significant profits from the expansion. Private prison companies like CoreCivic and GEO Group have submitted multiple proposals to operate shuttered facilities across the country. These companies argue that they can provide needed capacity quickly and efficiently, but critics say their involvement creates incentives to detain more people for longer periods.
The use of private companies for immigration detention has long been controversial. Critics argue that profit motives can lead to cost-cutting, poor conditions, and less accountability. Supporters say private companies can respond quickly to changing needs and help manage large numbers of detainees.
What Is the Broader National Context?
The conversion of the California City Correctional Facility is part of a larger federal initiative to expand immigration detention across the United States 🇺🇸. Similar conversions are underway in Kansas and Michigan, as the Trump administration uses emergency powers and legal loopholes to increase capacity. The administration argues that more detention is needed for national security and effective immigration enforcement.
Advocacy groups like CURB and the ACLU have called for permanent decommissioning of shuttered prisons and new laws to prevent federal repurposing. They warn that the expansion will set a precedent for similar actions in other states, undermining efforts to reduce incarceration and protect the rights of immigrants.
What Happens Next?
The California City Correctional Facility is expected to become operational within a few months, with the potential for further expansion if the initial contract is renewed. Advocacy groups are likely to pursue legal challenges and push for new state laws to block further conversions. Governor Newsom and the California Legislature may consider new measures to prevent federal takeovers of closed state prisons.
At the federal level, the Trump administration’s aggressive enforcement stance suggests continued expansion of detention capacity, with more facilities likely to be converted in other states. The debate over immigration detention, private prisons, and state vs. federal authority is likely to intensify in the coming months.
Practical Guidance and Resources
If you or someone you know may be affected by these changes, it is important to stay informed and seek legal help if needed. Here are some steps you can take:
- Know Your Rights: Learn about your rights if you are detained by ICE. The ICE official website provides information on detention, legal help, and how to contact family members.
- Contact Advocacy Groups: Organizations like the ACLU and CURB offer resources and support for people affected by immigration detention.
- Stay Updated: Follow news from trusted sources and advocacy organizations to keep up with policy changes and legal developments.
- Seek Legal Help: If you or a loved one is detained, contact a qualified immigration attorney or legal aid organization as soon as possible.
Official Contact Information
- ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement):
Main Website: ice.gov
Detention Reporting and Information Line: 1-888-351-4024 -
CoreCivic:
Main Website: corecivic.com
Media Inquiries: [email protected] -
Governor’s Office, State of California:
Main Website: gov.ca.gov
Contact: (916) 445-2841 -
Californians United for a Responsible Budget (CURB):
Main Website: curbprisonspending.org
Email: [email protected] -
ACLU of California:
Main Website: aclu.org
Contact: (415) 621-2493
Conclusion
The conversion of the California City Correctional Facility into California’s largest migrant detention center marks a turning point in the state’s immigration and incarceration policies. Driven by ICE and CoreCivic under the Trump administration’s aggressive enforcement agenda, the move has sparked fierce debate over human rights, fiscal responsibility, and the balance of power between state and federal governments. As the facility prepares to open its doors to thousands of new detainees, the outcome will have lasting effects on migrants, taxpayers, and the future of immigration policy in California 🇺🇸 and across the United States 🇺🇸. For more information and updates, visit the ICE official website.
Learn Today
ICE → U.S. agency enforcing immigration laws and managing migrant detention across the country.
CoreCivic → Private prison company contracted by ICE to operate detention facilities.
Private Prison Ban → California law prohibiting use of private prisons for state incarceration.
Warm Shutdown → Closed prisons maintained for possible future reopening, incurring ongoing costs.
No-Bid Contract → A direct contract awarded without competitive bidding due to urgency.
This Article in a Nutshell
ICE’s $10 million contract reopens California City Correctional Facility, doubling migrant detention capacity amid federal court rulings against state bans, sparking legal and human rights concerns nationwide.
— By VisaVerge.com
