Bakersfield, California — The Dolores Huerta Foundation has strongly opposed the opening of an immigration detention facility in California City. The facility, which is part of a preliminary deal made in April between CoreCivic and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, has raised concerns among local residents and businesses.
On July 16, the foundation hosted a meeting that included Mayor Marq Hawkins. At the discussion, local business owners expressed concern that the facility would drive away both businesses and residents. One California City resident questioned the possibility of bringing work to the area, saying, “work in an area that’s really remote and limited? I can’t see how that would work out.”
Another attendee at the meeting expressed concern, saying, “It is terribly unfortunate that they are going to open a detention center without talking to people. “Every time I leave my house, I am terrified.”
The Dolores Huerta Foundation’s Executive Director, Camila Chavez, condemned the facility’s messaging. “That’s the kind of messaging and marketing that they do when they come into a community, especially small economically kind of deprived communities like California City saying that they’re going to develop jobs and promote economic resilience, but we know that’s not actually true,” Chavez pointed out.
Mayor Hawkins emphasized that contracts with the federal government and CoreCivic have not been finalized, and the facility has not yet formally launched, despite some hiring. The organization claims that despite CoreCivic’s high earnings, the development will not be sustainable.
The foundation intends to continue its resistance by encouraging the municipal council and mayor to reject the deal. “For tomorrow, we basically just want to continue the declarations of opposition, letting city council and the mayor know that community members do not support this deal going forward… Chavez also expressed hope that there is still time to decline, oppose, or reject this motion.
The Dolores Huerta Foundation has established an online petition, which has received over 800 signatures.
