Advocates Urge ICE to Change Late-Night Releases
Immigrant advocates want changes to how ICE handles court-ordered detainee releases in San Diego.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Immigration
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Should ICE change how it releases detainees late at night?
Immigrant advocates are calling on ICE to change how it handles court-ordered releases of detainees. ICE has been dropping released detainees at the San Ysidro Transit Center after they leave the Otay Mesa Detention Center, sometimes as late as 11 at night.
Why it matters
Released detainees are left without guidance on where to find resources, money, or a phone, and some have been held for months or even years. Since last month, the Pope Francis Center in Logan Heights has temporarily housed dozens of people, placing added demands on local services.
Some court-ordered releases have been carried out between 10 and 11 p.m., according to the reported drop-off times. The total number of releases and how many people remain housed at the Pope Francis Center have not been reported, and it is not yet known whether ICE will alter its procedures.
The players
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
ICE is the federal agency responsible for immigration enforcement and the detention and release of noncitizens in the United States.
Pope Francis Center
The Pope Francis Center is a shelter in Logan Heights run by Our Lady of Guadalupe Church that provides housing to people in need.
The details
ICE drops released detainees at the San Ysidro Transit Center after they leave the Otay Mesa Detention Center, and some detainees come from the East Coast. Released detainees must report back to ICE, but they are left without guidance on resources, money, or a phone.
Timeline
Last month: The Pope Francis Center in Logan Heights opened its doors to detainees.
Late-night hours: Some court-ordered releases have been carried out at 10, 10:30, and 11 p.m.
Context
The releases originate at the Otay Mesa Detention Center, placing the San Ysidro Transit Center and nearby Logan Heights at the end of its release pipeline. The controversy turns on how that facility's discharge procedures affect the surrounding community.
Residents near the San Ysidro Transit Center may see released detainees arriving late at night with no guidance on where to go. Anyone who needs shelter or information should know that the Pope Francis Center in Logan Heights has been housing people since last month.
The takeaway
The way releases are handled at the transit center affects both detainees and the neighborhoods where they arrive, and the outcome of advocates' requests may shape how similar releases are managed in San Diego. Readers interested in the issue can track any announced ICE procedure changes.
Further reading
For related coverage, see more Immigration reporting from San Diego.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KSWB 5/69.
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Should ICE change how it releases detainees late at night?
