Department of Homeland Security buys two more detention centers in California for $950 million

Key Points:

• The Department of Homeland Security purchased two immigrant detention facilities in Adelanto, California, from the GEO Group for $950 million, aiming to secure federal ownership and bypass California's stricter oversight laws.
• This acquisition follows a $1.5 billion purchase of two other California detention centers by CoreCivic, reflecting the Trump administration's push to expand and solidify immigrant detention capacity on the West Coast.
• Despite the sale, GEO Group will continue managing the facilities under existing contracts through 2034, emphasizing its role as a support services operator while the federal government assumes ownership.
• The facilities have been criticized for poor conditions, including lawsuits alleging inadequate water, food, sanitation, and medical care, with four detainee deaths reported since last year and ongoing calls for congressional oversight.
• Critics, including Rep. Norma Torres, argue that taxpayers are bearing excessive costs for aging, problematic detention centers while detainees face unsafe conditions and limited oversight under the current system.