Amid violent protests over immigration enforcement, Glendale has surrendered to public pressure by ending its long-standing ICE detention contract, prioritizing “community trust” over federal law enforcement partnerships.
Key Takeaways
- Glendale terminated its 18-year contract with ICE after violent protests erupted in Los Angeles against immigration enforcement
- Despite claiming the decision wasn’t “politically driven,” the city cited “divisive public perception” as the primary reason for cancellation
- The decision follows extensive damage in Los Angeles, including looted businesses, vandalized property, and burned vehicles, requiring National Guard deployment
- Glendale’s retreat from federal immigration cooperation aligns with California’s sanctuary state policies that hamper enforcement of national immigration laws
- The timing coincides with President Trump’s directive to “liberate Los Angeles” from disorder caused by anti-ICE demonstrations
Glendale Abandons Federal Partnership Under Pressure
In what appears to be a concession to anti-immigration enforcement activists, the city of Glendale, California has terminated its contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that had been in place since 2007. The cancellation ends the local police department’s role in holding immigration detainees at its facilities. The city’s officials framed the decision as a measure to preserve community relationships rather than acknowledge it as a response to the violent protests that have rocked nearby Los Angeles over the past several days.
According to the city’s statement, “Despite the transparency and safeguards the city has upheld, the city recognizes that public perception of the ICE contract — no matter how limited or carefully managed, no matter the good — has become divisive.” This explanation attempts to distance the decision from the violent demonstrations while simultaneously validating protestors’ complaints about ICE cooperation. For nearly two decades, Glendale had provided regulated facilities with clean accommodations, medical care, family visitation, and legal counsel for detainees.
🚨NEW: The City of Glendale, CA announces amid the anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles that it will no longer work with ICE to house immigration detainees.
“This local decision reflects our core values: public safety, transparency and community trust.” pic.twitter.com/bmP6MngJD2
— Off The Press (@OffThePress1) June 9, 2025
Violent Protests Force Authorities to Retreat
The termination of Glendale’s ICE contract follows several days of increasingly violent demonstrations that began when protesters attempted to block deportation operations in Los Angeles. These protests quickly descended into chaos, with rioters setting Waymo self-driving cars ablaze, blocking the 101 Freeway, and vandalizing numerous businesses throughout the city. The mayhem spread to San Francisco, resulting in injuries to police officers and approximately 60 arrests. President Trump ordered the deployment of 300 National Guard troops to protect federal properties in Los Angeles.
“While many left the scene, several individuals remained and continued engaging in illegal activity. Two officers suffered non-life-threatening injuries and one was transported to a local hospital for further medical assistance,” stated the San Francisco Police Department.
Although the violence has temporarily subsided as of Monday morning, the damage is evident throughout Los Angeles with broken glass, looted shelves, and graffiti marking the path of destruction. More demonstrations are planned, marking what will be the fourth consecutive day of anti-ICE protests. The retreat by Glendale authorities may embolden protesters to demand similar concessions from other municipalities that cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.
California’s Sanctuary Policies Undermine Federal Law
Glendale’s decision aligns with California’s broader sanctuary state policies under SB 54, which prohibits state and local law enforcement agencies from using resources to investigate, detain or arrest people for immigration enforcement purposes. In their announcement, Glendale officials emphasized that they “have not engaged in immigration enforcement and will not do so in the future,” effectively signaling their compliance with state laws that hinder federal immigration enforcement efforts.
“Ultimately and effectively, this Glendale contract with ICE is helping the Trump administration carry out its mass deportation agenda that is racist and has abused countless people’s constitutional, civil and human rights,” claimed Andres Kwon of the ACLU, revealing the political underpinnings of opposition to the contract.
Since January, the facility had held 82 ICE detainees for short periods. These individuals will now need to be transported to other facilities, likely at greater expense to taxpayers and with less access to legal representation and family visitation. The city’s capitulation to activist demands demonstrates how progressive politics continues to obstruct immigration enforcement across California, even as President Trump works to restore order and enforce federal immigration laws that protect American citizens.
