Alameda County Opposes Potential Reopening of FCI Dublin Prison for ICE

County officials unanimously vote against repurposing the former women's prison as an immigration detention center.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 9:11pm

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A serene, cinematic painting of an empty guard tower from the former FCI Dublin women's prison, with the structure bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conceptually representing the troubled history and uncertain future of the facility.The shuttered FCI Dublin prison stands as a symbol of the ongoing battle over immigrant detention and the legacy of abuse within the U.S. carceral system.Alameda Today

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors has unanimously opposed any efforts to reopen the shuttered FCI Dublin women's prison as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention and processing facility. The board cited concerns over the prison's history of rampant sexual abuse of inmates and the broader issues of inhumane conditions and abuse at other ICE detention centers across the country.

Why it matters

The potential reopening of FCI Dublin as an ICE detention center has faced widespread opposition from local officials and grassroots organizations in the East Bay area. They argue that ICE detention subjects people to abuse and trauma, and that the Dublin prison's past issues with sexual abuse of inmates make it an unsuitable facility for any future detention or correctional operations.

The details

During a board meeting, Alameda County residents voiced concerns over the prospect of redeveloping the controversial FCI Dublin prison into an ICE detention and deportation facility. The Bureau of Prisons previously stated there were no plans to reopen the facility, but federal officials were spotted assessing the shuttered prison in 2025. East Bay representatives have strongly opposed the idea, citing the prison's 'toxic culture' that allowed a 'rape club' among staff to emerge and the broader issues of abuse and neglect at other ICE detention centers.

  • The Alameda County Board of Supervisors unanimously opposed the potential reopening during a meeting on Tuesday.
  • The Bureau of Prisons announced the permanent closure of FCI Dublin in December 2024 after reports of sexual abuse by staff.
  • Former warden Ray J. Garcia was found guilty and sentenced to six years in prison in 2023 for sexually abusing female inmates.

The players

Alameda County Board of Supervisors

The county's governing body that unanimously voted to oppose the potential reopening of FCI Dublin as an ICE detention center.

Sophie Sarkar

A member of Tsuru for Solidarity, an organization of Japanese-American survivors and descendants of U.S. internment camps, who voiced concerns over the prospect of the former prison being used for ICE detention.

Ray J. Garcia

The former warden of FCI Dublin who was found guilty and sentenced to six years in prison in 2023 for sexually abusing female inmates during his tenure.

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What they’re saying

“ICE detention subjects people to inhumane conditions and abuse and ICE activity is causing deaths, violence and trauma throughout our communities.”

— Sophie Sarkar, Member, Tsuru for Solidarity

“We hear you on behalf of all of the residents here in Alameda County and in the country that have been traumatized, that have been disappeared.”

— Elisa Marquez, District 2 Supervisor, Alameda County

What’s next

The Bureau of Prisons has stated that FCI Dublin remains under the jurisdiction of the Department of Justice and there are no current plans to reopen the facility. However, local officials and community groups have vowed to continue opposing any efforts to repurpose the former prison for ICE detention operations.

The takeaway

This decision by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors underscores the widespread local opposition to using the troubled FCI Dublin prison as an ICE detention center. It highlights concerns over the inhumane conditions and abuse that have occurred at other ICE facilities, as well as the prison's own history of sexual misconduct by staff, which make it an unsuitable location for any future detention or correctional purposes.