Glendale Ends ICE Detainee Contract Amid Los Angeles Immigration Riots

The City of Glendale, a suburb of Los Angeles, has terminated its long-standing contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to hold federal immigration detainees at its local police facility. This decision follows recent violent protests and riots in the Los Angeles area against ICE enforcement actions, which raised concerns about public safety and the impact on local residents and businesses. Glendale emphasized that the termination was not politically motivated but rooted in maintaining public safety, local accountability, and trust amid divisive public perception of the ICE contract. The city acknowledged that the facility had provided detainees with access to clean accommodations, medical care, family visitation, and legal counsel, and noted that ending the contract might make visitation and legal access more difficult for detainees. The move also aligns with California Senate Bill 54, which restricts local law enforcement from using resources for immigration enforcement. Glendale's police department has not engaged in immigration enforcement despite the contract, which was rarely used by ICE in recent years.