Glendale City Hall lit for Pride Month (Photo – City of Glendale)
The City of Glendale has officially terminated its agreement with U.S. Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to house federal immigration detainees at the Glendale Police Department facility, ending a partnership that has been in place since 2007.
By News Desk
City officials described the move as a local decision made after careful legal, operational, and community evaluation. While the facility had been operated under strict local oversight, ensuring humane conditions including medical care, family visits, and legal access, city leadership acknowledged that continued association with ICE has become increasingly divisive within the community.
“The decision to terminate this contract is not politically driven,” the City stated. “It is rooted in what this City stands for—public safety, local accountability, and trust.”
Glendale’s facility has long been recognized for maintaining higher standards than many federal or privately-operated detention centers. Officials noted that detainees benefited from proximity to family and legal resources—elements often lacking in remote or privatized facilities.
Despite these safeguards, public perception surrounding the ICE agreement has remained a flashpoint. City leadership emphasized that the Glendale Police Department does not and will not enforce immigration law, in accordance with California Senate Bill 54 (SB 54), which prohibits the use of local law enforcement resources for immigration enforcement.
“We remain in full compliance with SB 54,” the City said in a statement. “The Glendale Police Department has not engaged in immigration enforcement, nor will it do so moving forward.”
City officials acknowledged the unintended consequences of ending the agreement, including the potential for increased difficulty for families trying to visit detained loved ones and for detainees to access legal counsel in other jurisdictions. Nonetheless, they expressed confidence that this step is necessary to preserve public trust and reinforce the department’s mission.
“Glendale is consistently ranked as one of the safest cities in the nation. That is no accident,” the statement read. “We cannot allow that trust to be undermined.”
Moving forward, the facility will be reserved for local law enforcement purposes only. City leaders reiterated their ongoing commitment to public safety, transparency, and the fair treatment of all individuals—regardless of immigration status.
Good job Glendale. My hometown