SACRAMENTO, California.- A federal court ordered the California City Detention Center, the largest immigration center in the stateprovide clothing and blankets at no cost to the more than 1,000 people held there, in the midst of the cold wave that has affected several regions of the United States.
The decision derives from a class action lawsuit filed by detainees who allege inadequate prison conditions, reported the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
The center is located in the California town in the Mojave Desertan area known for its extreme temperatures, both in summer and winter.
He United States District Court for Northern California issued a preliminary order requiring immediate improvements in conditions at the facility, operated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Among the provisions, the court ordered:
The detainees have reported that the cells, commonly known as “hieleras” because of their low temperatures, represent a risk to their health, according to a report by the EFE News Agency.
The lawsuit claims that ICE has not provided adequate basic care or safe conditions for detaineeswhich, according to the plaintiffs, violates rights protected by the United States Constitution.
“Today’s ruling represents an important victory for immigrant rights and rightly confirms that ICE’s conduct at the California City Detention Center is inhumane, dangerous, and a direct violation of the Constitution,” said Kyle Virgien, senior attorney at the ACLU.
He center has been under public scrutiny for previous complaints related to detention conditions, medical care and treatment of detainees. The court order seeks to establish external oversight mechanisms to ensure compliance with minimum welfare standards.
The decision comes against a backdrop of growing national debate over conditions in immigration detention centers and federal responsibility for protecting the rights of people in custody.
date: 2026-02-11 23:03:00
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