Six deaths reported in California immigrant detention centers over past year

Six people died in California immigrant detention centers during the past year, according to a 175-page state inspection report released Friday. The deaths occurred as the population in the facilities increased more than 150 percent following the start of a large-scale deportation campaign.

The report examined conditions at all centers operating in California and found that medical staffing had not increased to match the higher population. At one newly opened facility in California City, inspectors documented one physician for nearly 1,000 detainees and described medical staffing as critically low.

Conditions described in report Inspectors visited each center for two days and interviewed 194 detainees from more than 120 countries. Detainees reported limited food options that caused digestive issues, extremely cold temperatures, and insufficient or unsanitary toilets.

Four deaths occurred at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center in San Bernardino County and two at the Imperial Regional Detention Center near Calexico. Families of the four detainees who died at Adelanto alleged inadequate medical care, according to the report.

The report also noted that federal protections for transgender detainees were reduced after January 2025, including the removal of related data from agency statistical reports.

Responses from operators A spokesperson for MTC, which operates the Imperial facility, said the company takes the report seriously and is reviewing its conclusions. GEO Group and CoreCivic spokespersons stated that their facilities meet federal detention standards and provide 24-hour medical access under ICE oversight.

The California Department of Justice conducted the inspections under a 2017 state law. All centers are operated by private companies under contracts with the federal government.