Story perspectives

Lawmakers Demand Inspections Amid Concerns at Otay Mesa Detention Center

4/3/2026

Summary

Story summary

On April 2, 2026, Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA) and Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA) visited the Otay Mesa detention center to push unannounced inspections.
The facility, run by CoreCivic, houses 1,037 detainees, most with no serious criminal histories.
Lawmakers raised concerns about medical care and access to legal counsel amid detention-capacity increases under U.S. President Donald Trump.
CoreCivic faces a lawsuit after health inspectors were denied entry for a state-required inspection.

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Story summary

On April 2, 2026, Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA) and Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA) visited the Otay Mesa detention center to push unannounced inspections.
The facility, run by CoreCivic, houses 1,037 detainees, most with no serious criminal histories.
Lawmakers raised concerns about medical care and access to legal counsel amid detention-capacity increases under U.S. President Donald Trump.
CoreCivic faces a lawsuit after health inspectors were denied entry for a state-required inspection.