California City Mayor Marquette Hawkins says he expects the prison to reopen as a federal immigration processing center and plans to discuss it at Tuesday’s city council meeting.
CoreCivic has hired some employees to begin preliminary activation activities
A sign at the facility reads: “California City Immigration Processing Center.”
ACLU representatives plan to attend Cal City’s council meeting on Tuesday.
Will a federal immigration processing center open in California City? This is the question on everyone’s mind in the desert town and Kern County. I’m Steve Virgen, your neighborhood reporter. It is expected to be discussed during Tuesday’s city council meeting.
Cal City Mayor Marquette Hawkins expects the town’s prison to reopen as a federal immigration processing center. CoreCivic, the private owner, confirmed via email that it is a “viable solution,” and that they “have begun some preliminary activation activities, pursuant to a letter agreement,” with ICE. The contract has not been finalized.
Hawkins says he is ready for people to discuss the issue at Tuesday’s city council meeting.
“I welcome all voices. I believe it is critical that all sides of this discussion are heard. “That people have every opportunity to speak about these issues,” Hawkins says.
Rosa Lopez, an ACLU spokesperson, confirmed by phone that ACLU representatives will attend Tuesday’s council meeting. She stated that they want to raise awareness about the potential negative impact of the immigration processing center… and described the facility as the state’s largest immigration processing center.
She adds that many members of the community are unaware of this potential change.
I reached out to ICE media communications, but they have yet to respond.
According to Hawkins, the immigration processing center will benefit Cal City’s economy by providing water and sewage services as well as job opportunities.
“The reopening of that facility will be viewed as an economic benefit to the city. However, 40% of our population is of Latino origin. I recognize that component as well. The majority of them are American-born. However, it is possible that some family members will be affected. So there is an impact and a social component,” says Hawkins.
Hawkins says he was recently given a tour of the facility and spoke with CoreCivic representatives. He tells me he emphasized the city’s desire to have some control over the facility.
“Regardless of their status, people have constitutional and statutory rights. So we need to understand that. Fairness and due process are both important. So, we had those conversations.”
Because the correctional facility is private property, I was asked to leave. Tuesday’s council meeting is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. I’m Steve Virgen, your neighborhood reporter.
