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The Biden administration has reached a settlement to resume operations at a California ICE detention center that has been largely vacant since 2020.
The Adelanto ICE Processing Center, with a capacity of 1,940 beds, currently houses only three detainees, according to the New York Post.
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The Biden administration is set to settle a lawsuit that would allow the reopening of an ICE detention center in Adelanto, California. This facility, which has been largely empty since 2020, has capacity for nearly 2,000 detainees but currently houses only…— The America One News (@am1_news) December 26, 2024
Following a lawsuit concerning COVID-19 transmission, a judge’s 2020 ruling forced ICE to relocate detainees and restricted new arrivals. Despite this, the federal government agreed in May to maintain funding for the $85 million facility.
In December, ICE initiated a 60-day assessment of litigation impacts, maintenance expenses, and operational needs before the facility’s planned closure. The agency later extended this to a 120-day review period.
An ICE spokesperson stated, “The new task order will extend beyond the current 60-day task order issued on Dec. 19 — expiring Feb. 19 — and provides additional time for potential relief from ongoing litigation that prevents full use of the facility.”
RJ Hauman, National Immigration Center for Enforcement president, criticized settlement discussions in January, stating, “What is there to settle, and why even discuss a settlement? This is an enforcement show as we enter a critical election year.”
The settlement paves the way for full operations to resume before Trump’s proposed mass deportation initiative.
Immigration attorney Nicolette Glazer expressed disapproval on X: “Well F**k, what can I say, Biden Admin and DOJ [Department of Justice] are rolling the red carpet for Trump’s deportation machine.”
New: 🚨
A new ICE detention center is opening up.
California is officially moving in the right direction on illegal immigration even though they’re fighting the federal government every step of the way!
Despite California's attempt to block new federal immigrant detention… pic.twitter.com/DYr2zmtALH
— Tom Homan – Border Czar Commentary and Updates (@TomHoman_) December 5, 2024
Democratic lawmakers recently urged the facility’s closure, citing safety concerns. A 2018 DHS Inspector General report highlighted serious issues, including makeshift nooses, improper segregation, and inadequate medical care.
Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.) said, “I’ve had detainees come out and they are sobbing because of the conditions there.”
“They should not be imprisoning people,” Chu added. “It’s just horrendous.”
She also described the facility as “a huge waste of money.”
