San Diego County health inspectors denied access to Otay Mesa Detention Center

Federal immigration officials block county health officials from completing inspection of private detention facility

Mar. 14, 2026 at 2:38pm

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San Diego County public health officials were denied access to key areas of the Otay Mesa Detention Center, a private immigration detention facility operated by CoreCivic, after previously being granted permission to conduct a comprehensive public health inspection. County supervisors who had been cleared to enter the facility were also blocked from accessing the site.

Why it matters

Under California law, county public health officers have the authority to inspect custodial facilities within their jurisdiction to ensure compliance with state health and sanitation standards. This sudden reversal of access raises concerns about transparency and what the facility may be trying to hide from public oversight.

The details

The County of San Diego's public health officer was allowed into the Otay Mesa Detention Center to begin the inspection, but ICE stopped the process at the last minute, denying access to 'routine and critical components of the inspection — including review of medical records and confidential interviews with detainees — steps required to complete a lawful public health evaluation.' County supervisors who had been cleared to enter the facility were also blocked from accessing the site.

  • On March 14, 2026, San Diego County public health officials were denied access to key areas of the Otay Mesa Detention Center.

The players

County of San Diego

The local government of San Diego County, California, whose public health officer was denied full access to the Otay Mesa Detention Center.

Otay Mesa Detention Center

A private immigration detention facility operated by CoreCivic and contracted by ICE to house about 1,400 migrants.

ICE

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the federal agency that denied San Diego County health inspectors full access to the Otay Mesa Detention Center.

CoreCivic

A private company that operates the Otay Mesa Detention Center under contract with ICE.

Terra Lawson-Remer

The chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.

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What they’re saying

“We are preparing to file suit to enforce California's public health authority. Our Public Health Officer was admitted but blocked from performing essential inspection duties, and access that had been formally cleared was later revoked. Federal officials do not have the power to nullify state public health law.”

— Terra Lawson-Remer, San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chair (cenlanow.com)

“This sudden reversal is not only a breach of protocol but a blatant attempt to obstruct transparency. When a facility prevents authorized oversight, it raises a chilling question: What are they so desperate to hide from the public eye?”

— Terra Lawson-Remer, San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chair (cenlanow.com)

What’s next

San Diego County officials are reviewing immediate legal remedies to enforce their inspection authority and ensure compliance with California public health law.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between federal immigration authorities and local public health oversight, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in private detention facilities. It underscores the importance of ensuring that all custodial facilities, regardless of their federal or private status, are subject to rigorous public health inspections to protect the wellbeing of detainees and the broader community.