Congressman, senator are turned away from Central Valley ICE facility

Nick Fenley, The Fresno Bee on Nov 2, 2026

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FRESNO, Calif. — Sen. Alex Padilla and Congressman Jim Costa visited McFarland for a drop-in visit to the Golden State Annex, an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement detainment facility, but they never made it inside.

The lawmakers said they were turned away because, according to Golden State Annex officials, there weren’t on-site ICE agents available to allow them in.

Padilla said his office receives reports regarding alarming conditions within the facility and accuses officials of not responding to basic inquiries.

“Their refusal to grant us access to the detention facility raises serious questions about what they’re trying to hide. Families deserve answers. The American people deserve transparency. And this Administration must be held accountable for its cruel and inhumane mass deportation agenda. I will keep showing up, demanding answers, and fighting to ensure the law is followed and people’s rights are protected,” Padilla said in a press release.

Costa echoed the senator’s statement. He said members of Congress have the right to conduct oversight but accused Golden State Annex of stonewalling them.

“Today’s visit with Senator Padilla to the Golden State Annex detention facility once again demonstrated ICE’s lack of accountability and transparency,” Costa said.

The lawmakers’ visit to the McFarland facility, one of two in the city that hold detainees from the Central Valley, comes about a month after California began experiencing increased ICE activity. Residents have spoken out, and some school districts contacted families to address fears of ICE enforcement in Central Valley communities.

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