ADELANTO – California attorney general Rob Bonta is sounding the alarm over conditions at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center, one of the nation’s largest detention facilities.
Bonta filed an amicus brief supporting a legal challenge alleging unconstitutional conditions of confinement at the facility.
Inspectors reported missed emergency medical treatment and murky drinking water in housing units. Detainees were also found living in unsanitary conditions with only one pair of underwear, and staff used pepper spray on detainees, including those experiencing mental health crises.
Following expanded immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, thousands have faced prolonged detention.
Ongoing concerns have been raised about conditions, medical care, and compliance with standards.
Under Assembly Bill 103, the California Department of Justice has inspected facilities like Adelanto and documented those concerns.
Recent detainee deaths reported
GEO Group operates the Adelanto ICE Processing Center, a privately run facility in San Bernardino County, under contract with ICE.
In the brief, Bonta cites a July 2025 DOJ inspection of Adelanto, raising concerns about medical care, living conditions, and use of force.
Despite repeated inspections documenting concerns at Adelanto, three detainees died between September 2025 and February 2026.
“We urge the court to carefully review our findings, which support these serious claims, and end the civil rights violations at Adelanto,” Bonta said.
CA DOJ publishes reports on ICE detention conditions
Assembly Bill 103 authorizes the attorney general to inspect facilities and report on conditions.
Since AB 103 took effect, the California Department of Justice has published four reports on conditions at facilities including Adelanto, finding substandard conditions that fall short of ICE detention standards.
ICE has not publicly responded to the claims in the filing.
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