Judge Orders Halt On Construction Of Ice Facility Near Gilroy

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA — Construction is paused for a planned facility near Gilroy that many local officials suspect may be used as a detention center by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, state Attorney General Rob Bonta announced over the weekend.

A judge with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California ordered ICE to halt construction on the site at 7240 Holsclaw Road in unincorporated Santa Clara County, granting a preliminary injunction late Friday as part of a lawsuit filed by the state and county challenging the legality of the construction.

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"We're hopeful the court's ruling sends a clear message that this is the wrong process and the wrong place for this facility," said County Counsel Tony LoPresti in a statement.

The suit was filed in June by Bonta and the county, arguing that the federal government bypassed required environmental reviews before construction commenced and did not consult with the state or local governments on the project.

ICE originally agreed to pause construction until Sept. 9. But Friday's decision further pushed back construction until Sept. 30, asking the parties to meet and confer and submit a proposed order by that date, according to the state Department of Justice.

Federal immigration officials have not confirmed what the facility will be used for.

"The Trump Administration tried to rush construction of this facility in secret, ignoring environmental safeguards and shutting out the communities that would bear the consequences," Bonta said in a statement. "This ruling sends a clear message: California will hold the federal government accountable and protect our communities, our environment, and the rule of law."

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