What are the allegations against the California City ICE detention center?

The lawsuit alleges that detainees at the California City ICE detention center are denied essential medications, frequently go hungry, and are housed in a "decrepit" facility with "life-threatening" medical neglect.

How are the conditions at the California City ICE facility described?

The lawsuit describes the facility as "decrepit," with sewage bubbling up from the showers, insects crawling the walls, and detainees locked in frigid concrete cells for hours on end. Meals are said to be "paltry," leading some to go hungry.

What is the status of the lawsuit against the US government over the California City ICE facility?

Seven immigrants detained at the facility have filed a federal class-action lawsuit against the US government, alleging "inhumane conditions" and constitutional violations at the facility.

Home / Crime and Justice / Immigrants Allege 'Inhumane' Conditions at California ICE Facility

Immigrants Allege 'Inhumane' Conditions at California ICE Facility

13 Nov, 2025

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Summary

Lawsuit filed against US government over conditions at California City ICE detention center
Detainees denied essential medications, frequently go hungry, and housed in 'decrepit' facility
Allegations of 'life-threatening' medical neglect, including denial of cancer treatment

Immigrants Allege 'Inhumane' Conditions at California ICE Facility

On November 13, 2025, seven people detained at California's largest Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center filed a federal class-action lawsuit against the US government. The lawsuit alleges that the detainees have been subjected to "inhumane conditions" at the California City detention center, which opened in late August inside a shuttered state prison.

The plaintiffs claim they have been denied essential medications, including cancer treatment and insulin for diabetes, as well as basic disability accommodations. The facility, run by private prison corporation CoreCivic, is described as "decrepit," with sewage bubbling up from the showers and insects crawling the walls. Detainees are allegedly locked in frigid concrete cells for hours on end and provided "paltry" meals, leading some to go hungry.