In a move that has sparked controversy, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is expected to close down a detention facility in Adelanto, Calif., that has remained largely empty for years due to a court order related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The facility, which has the capacity to house nearly 2,000 illegal immigrant inmates, has only housed a handful of immigrants despite the ongoing need for detention beds.
This closure comes as the Biden administration faces pressure to reduce the use of private immigration detention facilities, a promise made by then-candidate Biden during the 2020 election campaign. ICE has already ended family detention and closed multiple facilities, but liberal civil rights groups and some Democrats have called for further closures and funding cuts for ICE.
However, with the current surge of migrants at the southern border, the administration has found itself in a difficult position. On one hand, they are appealing to Congress for more funding, including thousands of additional ICE beds, to address the increasing number of migrants crossing the border. On the other hand, they are considering closing a state-of-the-art facility that could provide much-needed capacity for detention.
Critics argue that the closure is a failure of immigration enforcement by the Biden administration, as millions of unvetted illegal immigrants continue to enter the country. They claim that this decision will put American communities at risk and urge Republicans to take a stronger stance on the matter in funding negotiations.
Representative Jay Obernolte, a Republican from California, has been leading the charge to expand the facility’s intake and has called on ICE and the Department of Justice to lift the prohibition on more detainees. He highlights the strain that illegal immigration has placed on local communities, forcing them to use taxpayer resources to house immigrants in hotels, prisons, and other alternative housing options.
The closure of the Adelanto facility is expected to impact more than 300 workers who currently staff the facility. The National Federation of Federal Employees has warned of the devastating consequences for these workers, particularly in the lead-up to Christmas.
ICE has stated that it does not comment on ongoing litigation or its outcome, but emphasizes its commitment to promoting safe and humane environments for those in their custody. The agency continuously reviews and enhances civil detention operations to ensure that noncitizens are treated appropriately.
The closure of this underutilized facility raises questions about the Biden administration’s approach to immigration enforcement and its ability to effectively manage the ongoing migrant crisis. Critics argue that the administration’s actions do not align with its rhetoric on immigration and call for a more comprehensive and effective approach to border security.
As the debate over immigration policy continues, it remains to be seen how the closure of the Adelanto facility will impact the larger discussion on immigration reform and the Biden administration’s handling of the migrant crisis.
