California sees shift in immigration detention contracts

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — For nearly eight years, a desert community has joined with a private prison company and federal officials to run California’s largest immigration detention facility.

Now, the city of Adelanto is backing out of its contract for the 1,900 bed-center 60 miles (97 km) northeast of Los Angeles, but that won’t necessarily close its doors.

In fact, some immigration experts say the move could pave the way for the facility to seek to expand.

The change comes after California enacted a law blocking local governments from expanding immigration detention contracts in an effort to stymie the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration.

The facility in Adelanto is owned and run by The Geo Group. The company declined to comment.