Judge Nears Approval of San Diego County Inspection of Otay Mesa Detention Center

U.S. District Judge James Simmons indicated he is likely to grant San Diego County’s request for a public‑health inspection of the Otay Mesa Detention Center, a private prison operated by CoreCivic. The county sued the Department of Homeland Security and CoreCivic after earlier attempts to inspect the facility were blocked, seeking broader authority for the inspection team, access to medical records, confidential detainee interviews, and a review of health‑policy procedures.

Judge Simmons said the county’s requests are "broad and vague," and gave the parties three weeks to file supplemental briefs before issuing a final ruling. DHS attorneys argue that the lawmakers seeking entry lack the required health‑expertise and raised privacy concerns over detainee medical records, noting that previous DOJ inspections used privacy waivers. County officials contend that the health officer can select inspection members and that detainees should be allowed to speak with inspectors, a right they claim was denied in prior attempts.