ICE Detainees at O.C. Facilities Can’t Be Transferred Away From Their Lawyers, Federal Judge Rules

An immigration detainee sits in a high security unit at the Theo Lacy Facility, a county jail that also houses immigration detainees arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, March 14, 2017 in Orange, California. (Credit: ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)

by: Associated Press

Posted: Jun 21, 2019 / 02:03 PM PDT

Updated: Jun 21, 2019 / 02:04 PM PDT

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A federal judge says authorities can’t transfer immigrants from two Southern California detention centers to far-flung facilities if they have lawyers in the area.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California says U.S. District Judge Jesus Bernal in Riverside ruled Thursday in response to a lawsuit.

The suit sought to prevent Immigration and Customs Enforcement from moving several hundred immigrants at two Orange County facilities away from attorneys and relatives.

The sheriff’s department in March said it would stop housing detainees and ICE said they would be moved farther away.

Bernal said detainees with attorneys can’t be transferred beyond the greater Los Angeles area but didn’t block transfers for those without lawyers.

ICE has a privately-run facility in Adelanto.

A message was left for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.