JACL Applauds Federal Court Decision Halting ICE Detention Facility Construction in Santa Clara County

September 17, 2026

For Immediate Release

Media Contact:

Carol Kawase, VP of Public Affairs, ckawase@jacl.org

Matthew Weisbly, JACL National Education Programs Manager - LA Office, mweisbly@jacl.org

JACL applauds the decision of a federal court halting the construction of an ICE detention facility that was planned to be built on protected farmland near Gilroy, California. Detaining people without due process strips individuals both of rights enshrined in the Constitution and of basic human dignity. Japanese Americans were incarcerated by our own government without recourse, and we will continue to demand that no one else suffer that injustice. 

We commend Santa Clara County and the State of California for bringing this case, and we will continue to monitor as it continues. 

"We and the 15 member organizations of the Neighbors Not Enemies Coalition of San Jose Japantown oppose any kind of processing or detention facility by ICE! Today, it’s too late to just say Never Again.  The thing we feared is happening again NOW. Today, we say Never Again Means Show UP!  Speak Out! Stand up Together!"

-Susan Hayase, San Jose Nikkei Resisters

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The Japanese American Citizens League is a national organization whose ongoing mission is to secure and maintain the civil rights of Japanese Americans and all others who are victimized by injustice and bigotry. The leaders and members of the JACL also work to promote cultural, educational, and social values and preserve the heritage and legacy of the Japanese American community.