Episode Details

California City in Kern county is now home to the state’s largest ICE detention facility after private prison giant CoreCivic formally contracted to run it last month. But immigrant rights advocates say it lacks proper permits, and detainees have staged hunger strikes to protest filthy conditions and lack of access to medical care. Meanwhile, California City officials say they have no authority to challenge prison operations. We talk about how it’s dividing the community.

Guests:

Tyche Hendricks, senior editor covering immigration, KQED

Sam Levin, senior criminal justice reporter, the Guardian US

Marquette Hawkins, mayor, California City

Vikram Amar, professor of law, UC Davis School of Law

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