Story perspectives

U.S. Purchases Two ICE Detention Centers for $1.5 B

7/8/2026

Summary

Story summary

Federal government bought Otay Mesa and California City detention centers from CoreCivic for $1.5 billion on July 2.
The purchase paid $739.2 million for Otay Mesa’s 1,994 beds and $732.6 million for California City’s 2,560 beds.
Officials say management contracts stay with CoreCivic and may be renegotiated, and the acquisitions will streamline ICE detention.
San Diego County performed an eight-hour health inspection of Otay Mesa on June 12 and will keep oversight.

History

Historical Context

ICE began outsourcing detention in 2011 when it contracted the GEO Group to operate the former Adelanto state prison, expanding capacity to 1,940 beds by 2015. Repeated reports of inadequate medical care, a 29-member congressional letter in 2015 and a 2018 inspection that recorded 307 guards for 1,659 detainees intensified criticism of private management and spurred calls for greater federal oversight.

1 of 2

Story summary

Federal government bought Otay Mesa and California City detention centers from CoreCivic for $1.5 billion on July 2.
The purchase paid $739.2 million for Otay Mesa’s 1,994 beds and $732.6 million for California City’s 2,560 beds.
Officials say management contracts stay with CoreCivic and may be renegotiated, and the acquisitions will streamline ICE detention.
San Diego County performed an eight-hour health inspection of Otay Mesa on June 12 and will keep oversight.

1 / 2