BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) \u2014 The CoreCivic immigration detention facility in California City \u2014 ICE\u2019s largest detention center in the state of California \u2014 has received the city\u2019s permission to operate.<\/p>\n
On Feb. 26, Cal City staff determined CoreCivic met the requirements of the city\u2019s municipal codes to operate as a facility in the city, according to Mayor Marquette Hawkins.<\/p>\n
Cal City ICE detention facility critics continue to demand action from City Council <\/a><\/p>\n CoreCivic submitted a site plan review application to the city to operate the immigration detention facility at an existing prison site that closed in 2024.<\/p>\n Under Senate Bill 29, the city must notify the public 180 days in advance of executing a permit for any private company seeking to detain non-citizens in new or existing buildings. The city also has to conduct two public hearings<\/a> to receive public comments.<\/p>\n Cal City\u2019s municipal code requires staff to approve the detention center if it meets all city requirements.<\/p>\n Feb. 26 was the date of the required 180-day threshold, Hawkins said. The city issued and sent a business license to CoreCivic the next day.<\/p>\n When asked why CoreCivic began operating the detention facility in August of 2025 \u2014 months ahead of the city\u2019s approval \u2014 Hawkins told 17 News he does not know the answer.<\/p>\n Hawkins said Cal City\u2019s enforcement is responsible for issuing or not issuing permits and licenses rather than halting business operations.<\/p>\n The approval comes despite heavy outrage from the public, the facility receiving statewide and nationwide attention since it began operating.<\/p>\n Critics slammed the facility for reports of health and safety concerns<\/a>, with detainees and families reporting abuse and medical neglect. Residents from Cal City and across the state spoke at several City Council meetings throughout the months to urge city leaders to halt operations.<\/p>\n California senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff<\/a> toured the facility in January and said they left feeling \u201cdeeply concerned.\u201d Detainees told them there was mold in the food, drinking water caused stomach aches and one woman said she was unable to get insulin for her diabetes.<\/p>\n