Health inspectors granted limited access to immigration detention center, but lawmakers turned away

2 weeks ago 1

Two county health officials set to perform a planned inspection of the Otay Mesa Detention Center were granted only limited access Friday, and two county supervisors who said they had prior written approval to also tour the facility were subsequently turned away.

An hour later Friday, U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, who also wished to conduct an oversight visit, was also denied access to the San Diego immigration detention center.

“I am very deeply concerned,” Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer told reporters. She and Supervisor Paloma Aguirre said they had both received prior written clearance from local U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials but were told Friday they required additional approval from the agency’s national office.

“It is a huge red flag to me that they will not let us in,” Lawson-Remer said.

The events Friday only add to the ongoing inconsistencies in access faced by Democratic public officials trying to inspect local facilities that detain immigrants. The day prior, Rep. Mike Levin was granted access for a brief tour of public areas.