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DHS Buys Two California Detention Centers for $1.47 Billion
Confirmed
In Short: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security purchased two California detention centers from CoreCivic for nearly $1.5 billion.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has acquired the 1,994-bed Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego and the 2,560-bed California City Detention Facility in Kern County for a total of $1.47 billion, according to a CoreCivic announcement.
CoreCivic, a private prison operator, will continue to manage the facilities under contract with ICE, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The purchase, which marks one of the largest real estate deals tied to the Trump administration’s expansion of immigration enforcement, was made possible by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which allowed ICE to expand detention space.
Lauren-Brooke Eisen, senior director of the Brennan Center’s Justice Program, warned that California officials may have less power to conduct oversight of detention centers now that they are owned by the federal government.
ICE’s spokesperson stated that the acquisition is part of their mission to ensure they have the necessary resources to carry out President Trump’s immigration policies.
Jorge-Mario Cabrera, director of communications at CHIRLA, criticized the purchases, saying they are intended to keep detention centers away from public scrutiny and oversight.
CoreCivic CEO Don Zoley expressed satisfaction with the sale, emphasizing the company’s commitment to providing high-quality support services under existing contracts with ICE.
Zoley also indicated during a shareholder call in August that ICE was considering buying more than 10 facilities, with the number potentially increasing.
ICE’s mortality review for Ismael Ayala-Uribe revealed repeated failures by medical staff at the facility.
CoreCivic is currently engaged in an active process with Homeland Security for the potential sale of multiple other facilities, while aiming to retain the business.
The federal government’s acquisition of these facilities underscores its commitment to expanding its detention network in California.
The deal highlights the ongoing debate over the oversight and management of detention centers, with some arguing that federal ownership could limit state and local oversight.
What this adds
The deal raises questions about the oversight and management of detention centers, particularly regarding state and local authority over federal facilities.
What's confirmed
- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) purchased the 1,994-bed Otay Mesa Detention Center in Greater San Diego for $739.2 million, and the 2,560-bed California City Detention Facility in Kern County north of Los Angeles for $732.6 million, CoreCivic announced.
What's still developing
- In some instances, contracts have been changed to declare that the centers are simply not subject to local or state laws.
- “I think what we’ll see is probably a legal battle over whether the state still has the authority to inspect these detention centers now that they are owned by the federal government and not owned by corporations,” Eisen said.
- “The U.S. wants to further cash in on the suffering and plight of hundreds of thousands of immigrants it plans to imprison as part of their inhumane crackdown,” Jorge-Mario Cabrera, CHIRLA’s director of communications, told The Center Square in an email.
- In total, DHS has purchased five properties in California this year.
- Zoley called “unwarranted litigation” over allegedly unsafe conditions, federal ownership could become part of their defense strategy.
- “We are pleased with the completion of these important asset sales to the U.S. federal government, and we look forward to continuing to provide high-quality secure support services under our existing long-term contracts with ICE,” Zoley, the company’s CEO, wrote in a news release.