Congresswoman Luz Rivas Joins Colleagues for Unannounced Oversight Visit at Adelanto, Raises Concerns About Inhumane Conditions

October 16, 2026 Press Release Adelanto, California — Congresswoman Luz Rivas (CA-29), representative for California’s 29th Congressional District, conducted an unannounced Congressional oversight visit of the Adelanto ICE Detention Center with her colleagues, Representatives Robert Garcia (CA-42), Judy Chu (CA-28), Norma Torres (CA-35), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Dave Min (CA-47), and Derek Tran (CA-45). This is the first congressional oversight visit to the Adelanto ICE Detention Center since it was purchased by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in October. The Members investigated conditions at the facility, including reports of contaminated drinking water, mold and maggots in showers, lack of access to recreation, and significant delays in visitation. “My colleagues and I performed our congressional oversight duties to investigate the Adelanto ICE Detention Center and the serious allegations of abuse and inhumane conditions,” said Congresswoman Rivas. “We hoped to speak with detainees about their experiences and the conditions at the facility, but when we were shown the common areas, it looked as if ICE rushed the detainees back to their cells. In addition to the common areas, we were also showed the kitchen and bathrooms, where my colleagues noticed mold and food that looked inedible. ICE agents also continued to spread Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric that demonizes the nearly 1,800 detainees at Adelanto.” In October, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) purchased Adelanto from the GEO Group in an attempt to evade state and local oversight. This purchase occurred after Governor Gavin Newsom signed more than 20 bills aimed at pushing back against the Trump Administration’s immigration agenda. Congresswoman Rivas continued: “At a time when our constituents are demanding answers and accountability, ICE is being increasingly secretive about their actions at Adelanto – similar to what my colleagues and I witnessed at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas. DHS and ICE cannot buy their way out of being held accountable for the terror they are causing in our communities. My colleagues and I will continue showing up at detention centers to hold this Administration accountable and stand up for our constituents.” Background: Congresswoman Luz Rivas has conducted eight oversight visits at immigration detention facilities in California and Texas, including at the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building, the Adelanto Detention Facility, the California City Detention Facility, and the Dilley Immigration Processing Center. ICE blocked Congresswoman Rivas from conducting oversight of detention facilities three times: Once at the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building and twice at the Adelanto Detention Facility. Congresswoman Rivas has also sent six letters to ICE leadership calling for accountability into the conditions at detention centers and for transparency for detainees. In addition, she joined her colleagues for field hearings into ICE abuses in Los Angeles and Minneapolis-St. Paul. In October, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) purchased two immigrant detention facilities in Adelanto for $950 million from the GEO group. The purchase of facilities is an attempt by DHS to avoid being held accountable to California’s laws pushing back on the Trump Administration’s immigration agenda. ###