Federal purchase of Adelanto detention facilities raises questions about oversight
ADELANTO, Calif. (KESQ) – The federal government’s $950 million purchase of three immigration detention facilities in Adelanto is raising questions about transparency, state oversight and what the change could mean for people being held inside.
The purchase transfers ownership of the Adelanto West ICE Processing Center, Adelanto East ICE Processing Center and the Desert View Annex from private prison operator GEO Group to the federal government.
Immigration attorney Alex Galvez says the change could make it more difficult for California officials and the public to obtain information about conditions inside the facilities.
California’s AB 103 allows the state attorney general to inspect certain immigration detention facilities and report on conditions, including the treatment of detainees. However, Galvez says the law does not give the state the same authority over federally owned facilities.
“California will have a harder time now trying to find the transparency of any abuses that might happen in the central detention facility in Adelanto,” Galvez said.
News Channel 3 has previously reported on findings involving conditions at Adelanto, including concerns about medical care, food and water.
Galvez says the federal government could limit the release of certain information by citing national security concerns.
“Of course we could always file FOIA requests, but that tends to take a long time, especially under this administration,” he said, referring to the federal Freedom of Information Act process.
He also said legal action against the federal government can be difficult.
Immigrant rights advocates say obtaining information about conditions inside Adelanto was already a challenge before the ownership change.
“It has to be announced, it can’t be unannounced. You give them time to clean up and fix a couple things so it helps give them some cover,” said Eddie Torres, with the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice.
The purchase also raises questions about what the change could mean for detainees and their families. Galvez said he does not expect the sale itself to change family visitation, adding that elected officials should be able to visit the facilities.
News Channel 3 reached out to Congressman Ken Calvert’s office for comment but had not received a response.
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