San Diego Congressman Visits Otay Mesa Detention Center

San Diego County lawmakers conducted an oversight visit to the Otay Mesa Detention Center on Thursday, where over 1,000 immigrants are currently held amid the Trump administration’s stringent immigration policies. This visit marks a response to previous unsuccessful attempts by federal and local officials to access private detention centers earlier this year.

As the Trump administration detains an unprecedented number of migrants nationwide, reports have emerged detailing unsanitary living conditions, inadequate medical care, and incidents of abuse. Since January, 14 immigrants have died while in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), prompting widespread concern among lawmakers.

Democratic Representatives Sarah Jacobs and Mike Levin announced their visit in advance, allowing for a comprehensive tour of the facility. During their walkthrough, they examined various areas, including medical units, cafeterias, courtrooms, and libraries, specifically aiming to address detainees’ rights to medical care and adequate food. However, they acknowledged that the conditions they observed may not reflect the normal state of the facility, as the environment may have been artificially improved for their visit.

Jacobs expressed the importance of their presence despite the facility’s preparations for the visit. She mentioned plans for more unannounced visits in the future to ensure a more accurate portrayal of conditions within the center. Levin, after speaking with the facility’s medical director, noted that while the center is staffed with 13 medical personnel, including two physicians, there are plans to hire additional staff to improve care. He revealed that nearly half of the immigrants detained receive some form of drug treatment, and he deemed the facility’s cleanliness comparable to that of similar private institutions.

Levin also tasted the cafeteria offerings, describing the food as “relatively fresh and edible.” In contrast, Jacobs sought to interview a detainee but faced time limitations, receiving an opportunity to engage only minutes before their departure.

The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to inquiries regarding the lawmakers’ findings. Earlier attempts by Senator Alex Padilla and Representative Juan Vargas to access the facility were similarly denied, highlighting ongoing tensions between local officials and federal authorities. Notably, DHS requires federal lawmakers to provide a week’s notice before inspections, a policy currently being challenged in court by legislators across several states. A federal judge had previously suspended this requirement in March.

As local officials express a desire for oversight of the Otay Mesa Detention Center, they confront similar obstacles. San Diego County, led by Supervisors Tera Lawson-Remar and Paloma Aguirre, is currently suing DHS for access after supervisors were denied the chance to conduct public health inspections in February. They cite a 2024 state law that grants them authority to oversee such detention facilities effectively.

Currently, the Otay Mesa Detention Center averages about 1,500 detainees daily, according to ICE data, with approximately 82% lacking any criminal convictions. This situation underscores the pressing need for scrutiny and reform in immigration detention practices.