ICE detention center proposal sparks opposition in Gilroy, CA

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency plans to construct a detention center on Holsclaw Road, about 11 miles south of its Morgan Hill field office, in unincorporated Gilroy. Local officials—including Santa Clara County Executive James Williams, County Supervisor Sylvia Arenas, Gilroy Mayor Greg Bozzo, and community organizer Rebeca Armendariz—have voiced strong opposition, citing zoning restrictions and a pledge to use every legal tool available to block the project.

Opponents warn the facility could create fear among immigrant and farm‑worker families, discourage work, school attendance and health‑care seeking, and strain local infrastructure such as water, sewer and emergency services. They also stress potential economic disruption to the region’s agriculture, which relies heavily on immigrant labor, and cite studies linking ICE enforcement to labor shortages and crop losses. Human‑rights concerns are highlighted, referencing ACLU data that detainee deaths spiked in 2025‑2026. Critics argue the federal agency bypassed local planning processes, fueling distrust and prompting litigation threats from Santa Clara and Monterey counties.