Trump Administration Eyes Troubled Dublin Prison for Immigrant Detention Use

Key Takeaways

FCI Dublin’s conversion into an immigrant detention center is being considered despite its closure in April 2024 after abuse allegations.
The facility requires “tens of millions of dollars” in repairs due to asbestos, black mold, sewage leaks, and other safety risks.
No decision has been made, but widespread opposition cites abuse history, unsuitable conditions, and strained resources as key concerns.

The Trump administration is considering turning the recently closed Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Dublin, California, into an immigrant detention center. Located about 20 miles east of Oakland, FCI Dublin earned the notorious nickname “rape club” due to years of sexual abuse perpetrated by correctional officers. This proposal has ignited concerns from prison union leaders, former inmates, and immigration advocates due to the facility’s troubled past, its poor physical condition, and the broader implications of its use for housing immigrant detainees.

Troubled History of FCI Dublin

Trump Administration Eyes Troubled Dublin Prison for Immigrant Detention Use

FCI Dublin was shut down in April 2024 after allegations of widespread sexual abuse led to a federal investigation. Seven correctional officers were convicted for crimes against incarcerated women, and an eighth officer still faces trial. A federal judge appointed a special master to take control of the prison, citing a culture of dysfunction, abuse, and neglect. The facility’s history includes horrifying accounts of women being assaulted while serving their sentences, leading to its closure after years of oversight failure.

Court documents further revealed extensive issues with the prison’s infrastructure, including health and safety risks caused by asbestos, black mold, sewage leaks, and water contamination. Bureau of Prisons official William Lothrop testified before a federal court in Oakland, stating that “tens of millions of dollars” are needed to repair the facility. Many voiced relief when FCI Dublin was shuttered, viewing its closure as the end of a dark chapter. The notion of reopening the same facility, now for detaining immigrants, has sparked widespread alarm.

Why Immigrant Detention?

On February 14, 2025, officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) visited the abandoned FCI Dublin site, fueling speculation about its conversion into a detention center. This consideration comes amidst the Trump administration’s stated efforts to ramp up immigration enforcement and deportations. The administration has pledged to deport millions, creating the need for additional housing for detainees. Currently, ICE’s detention capacity accommodates about 41,000 people, but officials indicate that arrests are surpassing this threshold, forcing them to consider facilities like FCI Dublin to meet demand.

Converting federal prisons into immigrant detention centers is not a new concept for the Trump administration. During its first term, federal prisons in several states, including Arizona and Texas, housed approximately 1,600 immigrants. This practice was suspended in 2018 following a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which argued that the detainment of individuals under such conditions violated their 5th Amendment due process rights. Despite this legal setback, the current resurgence in immigrant arrests has revived interest in previously utilized facilities like FCI Dublin.

Key Concerns Regarding FCI Dublin

Stakeholders across various sectors have raised serious concerns about repurposing this damaged and notorious facility as a detention center for immigrants. These concerns include:

Unfit Living Conditions
Court records highlight significant issues with the facility’s environmental conditions. Asbestos, black mold, leaks, and sewage overflows were major problems even when it operated as a prison. Advocates argue that subjecting immigrant detainees, who may already be vulnerable or fleeing dangerous conditions, to such an environment is unacceptable. The financial cost of repairs, which could total tens of millions of dollars, adds further doubts about the feasibility of making the site habitable.
Legacy of Abuse
The facility’s dark history raises fears that a culture of mistreatment could persist under ICE management. Susan Beaty, an attorney representing women who were abused at FCI Dublin, cautions against reopening the facility. She noted her concern that ICE “would carry on that tradition of abuse, retaliation, and medical neglect.” The facility’s record does little to reassure advocates who are already critical of ICE’s treatment of detainees across the country.
Impact on the Bureau of Prisons’ Mission
Union officials have expressed frustration that converting FCI Dublin into a detention facility undermines the core mission of the Bureau of Prisons, which they argue is to focus on housing and rehabilitating convicted criminals. John Kostelnik, a prison union leader, stated his concern that the Bureau of Prisons is becoming “a branch of ICE,” which he believes is not their intended role. Adding immigrants to an already struggling system could divert resources and put additional stress on prison staff.
Staffing and Operational Strain
Many federal prisons are already understaffed, and the potential challenges involved in housing detainees with varied needs—including medical and cultural differences as well as language barriers—would place additional demands on limited resources. Union leaders fear that this could hinder the ability of the system to carry out its primary responsibilities effectively.

Broader Trends in Immigration Enforcement

Efforts to use FCI Dublin appear to reflect a larger strategy by the Trump administration to expand detention capacity in response to mass enforcement operations. Reports indicate that federal facilities in Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, and several other cities are being evaluated for similar purposes. However, legal and logistical challenges remain, as detention demands threaten to exceed ICE’s current budget and resources.

ICE has stated that its recent rise in arrests has created urgent demands for more housing. While confirming that it is assisting ICE by “housing detainees,” the Bureau of Prisons has declined to provide additional details, citing safety and security concerns. However, critics argue that the urgency for detention space does not justify the use of facilities with histories of abuse and unsafe conditions.

Criticism from Former Inmates and Legal Experts

Former inmates and their advocates remain vocal in opposing the possible reuse of FCI Dublin. Kendra Drysdale, a former detainee who is part of a class-action lawsuit against the facility, declared that reopening Dublin “would be deeply cruel.” She highlighted the inhumane conditions that inmates endured, such as exposure to harmful molds and asbestos, which caused sickness. Attorneys representing former inmates argue that reopening the facility, even as a detention center, would effectively repeat past mistakes. They are calling for the site to remain closed permanently.

Environmental and health concerns are also at the forefront of the debate. Human rights advocates worry about detaining migrants in a facility that is known to endanger its occupants’ health. They stress that no amount of repairs can erase the harmful legacy or dire reputation associated with the prison.

What’s Next?

As of now, no definitive decision has been announced regarding FCI Dublin’s future. Whether or not the facility will be repurposed remains unclear, as officials weigh its suitability against continued resistance from advocates, unions, and the community.

If FCI Dublin is reopened as an immigrant detention center, its past failures will undoubtedly cast a long shadow. Observers believe the proposal highlights tensions in immigration enforcement, criminal justice reform, and broader government accountability. Organizations across the nation, including those reporting on immigration developments such as VisaVerge.com, anticipate that this issue will remain under intense public and legal scrutiny in the months to come.

The Trump administration faces a choice with implications that extend far beyond a single facility. Questions about how to treat detainees, allocate resources, and prevent historical failures from repeating themselves will shape the debate going forward. While immediate answers may be elusive, one thing is certain: the legacy of places like FCI Dublin will continue to inform broader discussions about the intersection of immigration policy and human rights.

Readers seeking more information about ICE detention policies can visit ICE’s official detention webpage for further details.

Learn Today

Immigrant Detainee → An individual held in custody by immigration authorities, often while awaiting deportation or legal decisions on their status.
Asbestos → A toxic mineral once widely used in construction, now known to cause severe health issues, including lung disease.
Special Master → A court-appointed official tasked with overseeing specific legal matters, often to ensure fairness or resolve complex disputes.
5th Amendment Due Process Rights → Legal protections under the U.S. Constitution ensuring fair treatment in judicial and administrative proceedings.
Detention Capacity → The maximum number of individuals a facility or system is able to accommodate, often referring to prisons or detention centers.

This Article in a Nutshell

Reopening FCI Dublin: A Troubling Proposal
The Trump administration considers converting FCI Dublin—infamous for abuse and uninhabitable conditions—into an immigrant detention center. Critics warn it risks repeating past failures, jeopardizing vulnerable detainees and reinforcing systemic neglect. Should a site marked by dysfunction shelter migrants? This debate highlights urgent questions about justice, immigration policy, and government accountability.
— By VisaVerge.com