By Los Angeles County Politics (LACP)
Padilla, Schiff conduct oversight of California City ICE detention center
U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA), yesterday conducted an oversight visit to the largest detention center in California, located in California City, to learn firsthand of the concerns surrounding the condition of detained individuals at this facility amid the Trump Administration’s mass detention and deportation campaign.
One year into President Trump’s anti-immigrant presidency, the Senators exercised their Congressional oversight role through a briefing and tour of the facility before meeting with dozens of Californians and other detained individuals, many with no criminal record, whom Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have swept up indiscriminately.
The oversight visit comes as the number of immigrants detained by ICE swells to nearly 73,000 — more than ever before in U.S. history. After 32 people died in ICE custody in 2025, the deadliest year since 2005, at least six individuals have already died in their custody this year.
After ICE began transferring people to the CoreCivic-managed facility in late August, they have rapidly expanded the facility toward their goal of filling all 2,560 beds, raising significant concerns about ICE and CoreCivic’s ability to maintain adequate conditions for the people detained there. ICE officers informed the Senators that the facility now holds 1,450 detained individuals.
“We saw firsthand today at California’s largest detention center the inhumane conditions that detained individuals are facing, violating basic standards for access to health care, food, water, and legal counsel. ICE and CBP continue to detain immigrants with no criminal record, all while wasting billions in taxpayer funds and doing little to increase public safety,” said Padilla. “With more and more people dying in ICE custody as detentions reach record levels, I won’t stop fighting to ensure basic protections for detained individuals and end the egregious abuses of power by this out-of-control Administration.”
Schiff said the country and California have been seeing indiscriminate immigration raids and brutality that’s being used against people who have no criminal record.
“And one year in, things may just get worse, with the President threatening to invoke the Insurrection Act, further militarize the streets and use the military against their own people. Much of the trauma people are experiencing in our communities is out in the open, often captured on video,” said Schiff.
“The pain people experience after their arrest is hidden from view, and that is why we are here today. To conduct necessary oversight, and see firsthand what the conditions are like, and to make sure that people are treated humanely and have their rights observed,” the lawmaker added.
Hernandez, Blumenfield move Unarmed Crisis Response forward
Los Angeles City Councilmembers Eunisses Hernandez (D-Highland Park, Echo Park, Westlake, Chinatown, Pico Union, Koreatown, Mid Cities, MacArthur Park) and Bob Blumenfield (D-Woodland Hills, Tarzana, Winnetka, Canoga Park, and Reseda) last week introduced a joint motion to permanently adopt the Unarmed Model of Crisis Response (UMCR) and establish a centralized dispatch system to streamline alternative emergency services citywide.
The lawmakers noted that since its pilot launch in 2024, the UMCR program has proven to be a resounding success. The program responded to more than 17,000 calls for service, with over 96% resolved without police involvement.
The program’s success has enabled thousands of LAPD patrol hours to be devoted to serious and violent emergencies. By treating public health and public safety as integrated fields rather than isolated silos, the UMCR has demonstrated its ability to connect Angelenos in distress to housing, mental health care, and peer support, the lawmakers argued.
“By every measure — moral, operational, and fiscal — an unarmed, care-first response model works,” said Hernandez. “It resolves crises without use of force, frees up sworn officers for serious emergencies, and costs taxpayers a fraction of the price. At a time when our city is facing a serious budget crisis, now more than ever, we must take these lessons and build a permanent, citywide safety department that makes care-first response the standard for all of Los Angeles.”
“As we continue taking concrete steps to make Unarmed Crisis Response a Citywide fixture in Los Angeles, creating an integrated dispatch system is the next step toward our shared goal,” said Blumenfield. “While we’ve learned a lot through the results of the pilot we launched last year, we also confirmed critical facts— UMCR works, it saves lives, and it’s cost-effective.”
The legislative process for this motion will include a robust community engagement phase so that residents, neighborhood groups, and service providers can have a direct say in how this new safety infrastructure is built. The motion is expected to be referred to the Ad Hoc Committee on Unarmed Crisis Prevention Intervention before returning to Council for a full vote.
Valladares secures more than $500,000 for constituents
State Sen. Suzette Martinez Valladares (R–Lancaster, Palmdale, Santa Clarita, portions of the Antelope Valley) announced last week that after just one year in office, she and her team have successfully secured more than $500,000 for constituents by helping individuals, families, and local organizations navigate state government and recover funds owed to them.
“One of the most rewarding parts of my job is helping constituents cut through red tape and making government work the way it’s supposed to,” said Valladares. “Whether it’s delayed benefits, unclaimed funds or unfair fees and charges, my office is committed to ensuring people receive the resources they are entitled to.”
The recovered funds include money owed by the Employment Development Department (EDD), such as unemployment insurance, State Disability Insurance, and Paid Family Leave benefits. A significant portion of the funds also came from the State Controller’s Unclaimed Property Division and the Franchise Tax Board, including state tax refunds, as well as fees and penalties for California-incorporated businesses.
One of the most exciting recent examples was when Sen Valladares’ team helped cut through bureaucratic delays to recover $50,000 owed to a local business that serves a vital community need – the Santa Clarita Senior Center.
“My office exists to serve the people of our district, and this is exactly why district casework matters,” said Valladares. “When government falls short, we step in to advocate, follow through, and deliver results. I encourage anyone struggling with a state agency to reach out, we’re here to help.”
Friedman Tours AADAP’s Mickle’s House
U.S. Rep. Laura Friedman (D-Burbank, Glendale, West Hollywood, Hollywood) recently toured the Asian American Drug Abuse Program’s (AADAP) Mickle’s House, the organization’s newest Recovery House and Recovery Bridge Housing program for women in recovery, along with their young children.
“What I saw today were hardworking members of our community stepping up to support people working to break the cycle of addiction and improve their mental health. That’s something we should all applaud,” said Friedman. “Unfortunately, the Trump administration has once again created chaos by abruptly attempting to rip key investments in public health. Time and again, they’ve shown that they want to cut healthcare to pay for their billionaire tax cuts. I will always stand against these misguided priorities and fight for our communities.”
AADAP has served Los Angeles County for more than 50 years, offering holistic, person-centered services for substance use recovery and prevention, as well as mental health counseling, case management, workforce development, and temporary supportive housing.
Friedman led the charge to claw back more than $19 million for HIV prevention services that were previously frozen by the Trump Administration without explanation.
