Inside California City’s Fight Over a New ICE Detention Center episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 30, 2026 · 31 MIN

Inside California City’s Fight Over a New ICE Detention Center

from Political Breakdown · host KQED

A city in California's Mojave Desert is at the center of a growing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement controversy. A privately-owned former prison has been revived by ICE and is poised to become the largest immigration detention facility on the West Coast. Since opening in August, the facility has sparked ongoing protests and drawn serious allegations of neglect and inadequate medical care, along with questions about whether it's operating legally.  Marisa and Scott are joined by KQED's senior immigration editor Tyche Hendricks to break down the allegations and legal concerns surrounding the facility. Then, they talk to California City Marquette Hawkins about his stance on the detention facility and what it's like leading a city at the center of a national debate.  Check out ⁠⁠Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter⁠⁠, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Jan 30, 2026

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Inside California City’s Fight Over a New ICE Detention Center

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