Otay Mesa Detention Center: History, Operations, and Controversies

The Otay Mesa Detention Center is a privately operated federal detention facility in San Diego County, California, primarily holding immigrant detainees and federal prisoners. Managed by CoreCivic under contract with ICE and the U.S. Marshals Service, it has been a focal point of legal battles, protests, and policy debates over immigration enforcement. In 2026, the facility was sold to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, marking a significant shift in its ownership and oversight.