Former Private Prison In SoCal Being Converted Into Largest Migrant Detention Camp In the State

The Trump administration has contracted CoreCivic to convert a shuttered private prison in Kern County, California, into a migrant detention facility, with an initial investment of $10 million. This project aims to expand ICE's capacity for detained immigrants from 41,500 to 100,000 beds, sparking concerns about taxpayer costs and ethical implications. Critics argue that detaining thousands of undocumented immigrants, many of whom are innocent of crimes, will lead to significant protests. California currently detains about 3,200 immigrants, while Texas holds over 12,500. The facility will initially accommodate 2,560 beds but may be modified for more.

ICE's reliance on no-bid contracts for these projects raises questions about transparency and urgency. A federal court ruling allowed the federal government to continue using private contractors despite a state law banning private prisons. The local community has expressed pushback against these developments, emphasizing the need for a more humane approach to immigration enforcement.