A federal judge has scheduled an April 15 hearing at 1:00 p.m. in San Diego County’s lawsuit that could become the first major court test of whether federal agencies can block state-authorized public health inspections of immigration detention facilities.

Today, San Diego County will also formally file its request for a preliminary injunction, asking the court to order the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and CoreCivic to allow the County’s Public Health Officer to conduct a full and unobstructed inspection of the privately operated Otay Mesa Immigrant Detention Center while the case proceeds.

The lawsuit seeks declaratory and injunctive relief to enforce inspection authority granted under California Health and Safety Code Section 101045, a 2024 law (SB 1132), authorizing local public health officials to investigate health and safety conditions in privately operated immigration detention facilities located within their jurisdictions.

San Diego County is the first county in California to attempt to exercise this inspection authority, and officials say the case could help determine whether federal agencies can prevent state and local governments from carrying out traditional public health responsibilities inside detention facilities operating in their communities.

“Federal agencies cannot ignore state public health law by simply locking the door,” said San Diego County Board Chair Terra Lawson-Remer. “San Diego County is the first to step forward and use the inspection authority the Legislature created. Now the court has an opportunity to clarify whether that law has real force. We are asking for urgent action so our Public Health Officer can verify conditions inside this facility and protect the health of detainees, staff, and the surrounding community.”

The County argues that time is of the essence, and that continued denial of access is causing ongoing harm by preventing local officials from carrying out statutory duties designed to safeguard public health.

Board Chair Pro Tem Paloma Aguirre said the case is about transparency for detainees and the communities living near the facility. “Reports of detainee mistreatment are deeply concerning. This case is not about creating a spectacle; it's about holding the facility accountable to the law. When inspections are blocked, it obscures the true health and safety conditions affecting detainees, workers, and our community,” Aguirre said. “Otay Mesa is in my district, and communal illness caused by poor sanitation and lack of access to proper medical care can lead to outbreaks beyond the facility. Those coming and going could unintentionally bring illnesses home to our families. Our community deserves answers.” 

San Diego County first requested the inspection in February after receiving complaints about conditions inside the facility. Federal officials initially approved the inspection but later reversed that decision and denied County officials a full inspection.

Because this is the first attempt by a California county to implement the state’s new detention inspection law, officials say the outcome could shape oversight practices statewide and potentially influence how similar disputes are resolved across the country.

California State Senator María Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles), author of SB 1132 which amended California Health and Safety Code Section 101045, issued the following statement:

“Every person, regardless of immigration status, is entitled to dignity and humane treatment — that’s why I authored SB 1132. The law gives counties the authority to conduct independent public health inspections of private detention facilities operating within their borders. The Trump Administration’s decision to block San Diego County’s lawful inspection of Otay Mesa is unacceptable. Detainees are throwing handwritten notes over the walls begging for help, and the public has a right to know what is happening inside. I commend Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer and the San Diego County Board of Supervisors for standing firm and taking this fight to court. This lawsuit sends a clear message to facilities across California: no one is above the law.”