The federal government just initiated a 30-day public comment period in their attempt to open an ICE detention center in the Bay Area. We need to generate a tidal wave of comments in opposition before June 1!

The proposed facility is the former federal women's prison in Dublin, which was shut down in 2024 following years of horrific sexual abuse and brave organizing by survivors. Now the government wants to repurpose it as an ICE detention center — and stopping that is crucial to protecting our communities.

One reason ICE has not been able to as dramatically increase their attacks in the Bay Area is because they don't have enough space to imprison people. We cannot let that change.

As Jews, we understand that our history of persecution and displacement calls us to act in solidarity with immigrants facing detention and deportation today.

When submitting your comment, please make it your own.

The federal government is required to read and respond to every individual comment — and comments that reflect your personal perspective, experiences, and values are far more powerful than form letters.

Tell them why this matters to you: maybe you live in or near Dublin, maybe you have people at risk in your life, maybe you've followed the history of abuse at this facility, or maybe your Jewish values of human dignity compel you to speak out. Whatever moves you, say it in your own words. 

Examples:

  • Share your connection to Dublin. (I’ve lived in Dublin for 20 years; I’m a Dublin public school student; I work in Dublin), or immigration detention (I come from an immigrant family; I am a survivor of ICE detention).
  • Speak from your experience. (I’m a healthcare worker and immigration detention is bad for public health; I’m a teacher and I’ve seen how detention rips students’ families apart; I’m a Bay Area resident and I don’t want an ICE jail in my community.)
  • If you are an expert in a particular area and want to offer comments on your area of expertise, explain why you are uniquely qualified to offer this perspective.
  • Share your affiliations. Name if you are a part of a relevant group or organization.] 
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I am writing to provide public comment regarding the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) “Environmental Assessment (EA) - Proposed Action to Permanently Deactivate and Close the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Dublin, Camp Parks, California.” 

The EA confirms that the FCI Dublin property is unsafe and uninhabitable and would cost tens of millions of dollars to repair, and supports BOP’s proposal to permanently close the prison. Not only should it be closed, it should be demolished, and never used to incarcerate people again.

FCI Dublin was built nearly 50 years ago, and the buildings are crumbling and in poor condition. Leaving the facilities empty, and transferring the property as is, could lead to ongoing safety risks, environmental hazards, and a blight in the community. 

Unused federal facilities are often transferred to another agency. The EA doesn’t consider this. The FCI Dublin facility could be re-opened as an immigration detention facility. ICE toured the facility and has refused to say they won’t try to turn it into an immigration detention center. This would have devastating impacts on the local community’s safety, resources, and environment.

The EA did not consider the most important option: closing and demolishing the facility. Demolition would reduce environmental and safety risks and prevent the facility from being reused in ways that harm the community. 

For these reasons, I respectfully urge BOP to:

- Fully analyze what is likely to happen after closure, including vacancy, transfer & reuse;
- Consider the potential impacts of the facility being reopened or repurposed, including as an immigration detention center; and
- Evaluate demolition of the facility, not just closure.

Our community deserves care and resources, not cages.
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