California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Santa Clara County Counsel Tony LoPresti filed a federal lawsuit on Wednesday, June 10, seeking to halt construction of a proposed 24.5-acre Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility at 7240 Holsclaw Road near Gilroy, also known as the Holsclaw Property.
According to the lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Bonta and LoPresti contend that building a detention center on this site contradicts zoning laws, threatens endangered species habitats, risks public health due to inadequate infrastructure and contaminates habitat and drinking water, which could backflow into the structures on the Holsclaw Property, creating direct human contact with pathogens including bacteria, viruses and parasites.
Additionally, at least some of the leased spaces on the site, including portions of the existing septic system, are located within designated special flood hazard areas which further compounds the risk of system failure and poses safety concerns for detainees and other users of the facility, as well as neighboring residential properties, according to the lawsuit.
The plaintiffs also allege that the Department of Homeland Security and related agencies violated multiple federal laws by failing to conduct required environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act and disregard local and state input as mandated by the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act.
The Holsclaw Property has been restricted exclusively to agricultural use since 1967 under the Williamson Act, a land-use contract that confers tax benefits in exchange for preserving farmland.
Construction of the ICE detention facility on the site reportedly began on or around May 4 without public notice or consultation.
Bonta and LoPresti are seeking a permanent injunction to stop construction and prevent the facility from opening.
In May, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors and Soledad City Council sent a letter of opposition to the facility to state and federal officials.
“Our community is not a dumping ground for Trump’s ICE chaos. Not here. Not ever,” said Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas in a statement. “I stand with our neighbors and fully support California’s lawsuit against Trump’s failed immigration agenda—and we will not stop fighting.”
The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to a request for comment.