Federal officials are extending the evaluation of a mostly shuttered California detention center that can house thousands of illegal immigrants, despite the fact that the COVID-19 emergency has expired. The Adelanto ICE Facility in California is currently blocked from processing new detainees due to a court order from September 2020. Representative Jay Obernolte is demanding that the facility re-open in order to detain and deport the influx of illegal immigrants that are overwhelming law enforcement and community support services.
The Adelanto ICE Facility can house nearly 2,000 inmates, but has remained largely empty since 2020 due to ongoing litigation, maintenance costs, and operational requirements. Despite expectations that the facility would close in December, ICE launched a 60-day evaluation period to assess the situation. The facility has not reopened, even as other facilities have resumed operations in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. ICE has extended the evaluation period until September, working with GEO Group, which runs the facility and generates $85 million in revenue annually.
The ability for ICE to remove individuals to their home countries, detain those who pose a public safety threat, and maintain detention space is crucial for the agency. The ongoing evaluation of the Adelanto facility is seen as necessary for these purposes. San Diego’s Border Patrol sector has been particularly impacted by recent border encounters, with an influx of people crossing into California from countries such as Turkey and China. The Biden administration has moved away from using private detention facilities for illegal immigrants but has also sought more beds from Congress.
Democrats in the Senate recently brought a bipartisan border package to a vote, which ultimately did not advance. The administration has closed multiple facilities but sought more bed space from Congress, while Republicans argue that many beds remain unfilled. The border crisis remains a contentious issue, with ongoing criticism and demands for action from both sides of the political spectrum. The situation at the Adelanto ICE Facility highlights the challenges faced in enforcing immigration laws and managing the influx of illegal immigrants into the United States.
