Santa Clara County officials and activists push back against federal detention center and Project 2025 plans

On Jan. 17, dozens of activists gathered at the Santa Clara‑San José border to march and rally against Project 2025, a far‑right policy agenda promoted by the Heritage Foundation and adopted by the Trump administration. Organized by local groups such as San José Against War and the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, the march moved through Santana Row and faced traffic disruptions and confrontations with motorists.

In May, Santa Clara County leaders held a news conference to denounce a proposed federal detention center near Gilroy at 7240 Holsclaw Road. Supervisor Sylvia Arenas, County Counsel Tony LoPresti, and immigration‑rights groups warned the unzoned site would expand ICE detention capacity. The county cited past legal victories against federal immigration actions and pledged to fight the project using all available resources.

Both events reflect growing local opposition in Santa Clara County to federal immigration enforcement initiatives, from protest marches to organized legal resistance against new detention facilities.