SANTA ANA – The 10 remaining U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees at Santa Ana Jail were transferred out of the facility on Monday, May 8, 16 days ahead of the federal agency’s contract expiration date.
All were transferred to the Cibola County Detention Center, an ICE contract facility in New Mexico, agency spokeswoman Virginia Kice said on Tuesday.
The count for the ICE detainees – all transgender and in one housing module – on Monday was 10, and on Tuesday was zero, Jail Administrator Christina Holland said. Holland could not disclose what time the inmates were removed, but said the counts occur between midnight and 6 a.m.
“They’re removed from the housing unit and brought downstairs to the court release area and the ICE staff or whoever is transporting would meet them there,” Holland said. “Staff verify that the people removed are on the list to be removed, and after that ICE takes over. They identify all property, belongings the individual owns, it’s all gathered, they’re escorted to the vehicle.”
ICE gave Santa Ana a 90-day notification to terminate its contract at the jail in February, citing recent actions by the city to decrease the number of beds available, and the agreement expires May 24.
With the immigration detainees transferred, four of the jail’s eight housing modules sit vacant.
“They were the only ones in that unit, so as soon as they left, that module was vacated,” Holland said of the ICE inmates.