“Today I am announcing we are ending the contract with ICE,” said Livingston at an afternoon press conference in Martinez. “I recently notified ICE of this decision and asked them to begin the process of removing their detainees in a safe and orderly manner.”
The West County facility currently houses 169 ICE detainees, part of a longstanding agreement that netted the county up to $3 million per year.
“This is an historic day in Contra Costa County,” said Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia. “To the thousands of county residents who have passionately advocated for the end to the detention of immigrants at the West County jail, thank you.”
Laura Anthony
✔@LauraAnthony7
#DEVELOPING @CoCoSheriff says no control over what @ICEgov does with detainees..could be released, could be sent as far away as Hawaii.
Over the past several weeks, demonstrators have held loud protests in front of the West County facility.
“It’s a victory in the sense that these contracts are going to end,” said Richmond Vice-Mayor Melvin Willis, who has also been active in the protests. “But a justifiable closure is making sure that the families, the folks that are being detained by ICE aren’t just going to be transferred somewhere else like Arizona or Colorado.”
That’s exactly why county supervisor Karen Mitchoff opposes canceling the ICE contract, primarily out of concern about where current and future Bay Area detainees might be sent. “I’m sorry to be losing the contract,” explained Mitchoff.
“Unfortunately, with the closure of this facility, those individuals that ICE is not able to release through the normal process will be sent to other places throughout the United States.”
PHOTOS: Families Belong Together demonstrators denounce family separation around America
For more stories, photos, and video on ICE, visit this page.
Laura Anthony
✔@LauraAnthony7
#DEVELOPING Supervisor Mitchoff says she objects to end of @ICEgov contract because some detainees could be sent far from families. #abc7now
Laura Anthony
✔@LauraAnthony7
#DEVELOPING Contra Costa Supervisor John Gioia calls @CoCoSheriff decision to cancel @ICEgov contract “an historic day” #abc7now
Laura Anthony
✔@LauraAnthony7
#DEVELOPING @CoCoSheriff David Livingston says protests and public pressure did play role in decision to cancel @ICEgov contract at jail.
Laura Anthony
✔@LauraAnthony7
#BREAKING @CoCoSheriff David Livingston announces cessation of contract with @ICEgov at West County Detention facility.
