Glendale Ends Agreement to House ICE Detainees at Police Facility
City cites public perception and community trust concerns in decision
The city of Glendale, California has announced the termination of its agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security to house federal immigration detainees at the Glendale Police Department facility. City officials made the announcement on Sunday, emphasizing that local law enforcement has not participated in federal immigration operations. The decision comes despite Glendale's consistent ranking as one of the nation's safest cities.
Officials stated that the termination aims to preserve community trust in local law enforcement. According to the city's statement, public perception of the ICE contract had become divisive despite transparency and safeguards. The City Manager clarified that the decision was not politically motivated but was made to protect local safety and maintain public trust in the police department.
KEY POINTS
- •Glendale ends ICE detention agreement
- •Decision aims to preserve community trust
- •Facility had operated since 2007
The terminated agreement had been in place since 2007, with Glendale maintaining what it described as a highly regulated, locally controlled facility adhering to high standards. City officials noted that the local facility provided detainees with access to clean accommodations, on-call medical care, family visitation, and legal counsel. This local access reportedly offered detainees proximity to due process resources that might be lacking in more remote detention centers.
In explaining the timing of the decision, city officials referenced concerns about potential protests. The statement indicated that the termination was partly intended to protect local residents and businesses from situations similar to protests that have occurred elsewhere. The city affirmed its ongoing commitment to public safety, transparency, and fair treatment of all individuals regardless of immigration status.
The announcement comes during ongoing national debates about immigration enforcement and detention policies. While Glendale's facility represented a small component of the broader immigration detention system, the decision reflects increasing scrutiny of local government cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The termination of this agreement adds Glendale to a growing list of municipalities reassessing their relationships with federal immigration enforcement agencies.