Overview
- San Diego County’s public health officer was allowed inside only to view the medical bay and kitchen and was blocked from reviewing records, touring housing areas, or speaking with detainees.
- Supervisors Terra Lawson-Remer and Paloma Aguirre showed prior written approval from local ICE officials and CoreCivic, then were told access was revoked by ICE headquarters.
- U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla was denied an oversight visit and told to request entry seven days in advance, which he said conflicts with a federal court’s temporary halt of that rule.
- CoreCivic said the facility welcomes oversight, requires ICE approval for visits, provides medical and mental health care, and received NCCHC reaccreditation on Feb. 17.
- County leaders cited reports of inadequate water, food, and medical care and noted data showing the facility exceeded its 1,358-bed capacity for stretches in 2024; ICE did not comment, and Rep. Mike Levin reported a brief, notice-based tour a day earlier.