Gomez Ruiz v. ICE

Case Summary

The Prison Law Office, Keker, Van Nest & Peters LLP, the ACLU National Prison Project, and the California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice filed a federal class action lawsuit against ICE and DHS on behalf of every person detained in California City Detention Facility. The lawsuit alleges that ICE and DHS do not provide people in California City with constitutionally adequate medical and mental health care, in violation of the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It also alleges the conditions are excessively punitive, violating people's due process rights under the Fifth Amendment. Additionally, the lawsuit alleges that ICE and DHS discriminate against people with disabilities by denying them equal access to programs, services, and activities, in violation of the Rehabilitation Act. Lastly, the lawsuit alleges that ICE and DHS improperly interfere with people's rights to hire and consult their attorneys, in violation of the First and Fifth Amendments.

Timeline

Case Documents & Resources:

Important Litigation Documents

Court Orders

Expert Reports

News

Timeline

November 3, 2025	DRC issues report about conditions in California City Detention Facility.
November 12, 2025	Plaintiffs file class action complaint against US Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) and US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) about unconstitutional conditions at California City Detention Facility.
November 20, 2025	Plaintiffs file amended class action complaint.
December 1, 2025	Plaintiffs file class certification motion.
December 1, 2025	Plaintiffs file Motion for Preliminary Injunction regarding unconstitutional and discriminatory conditions at California City Detention Facility.
December 16, 2025	Plaintiffs file Motion for Temporary Restraining Order regarding denial of urgently needed medical care to two Named Plaintiffs.
December 19, 2025	California Attorney General Rob Bonta sends letter to ICE and DHS regarding dangerous conditions at California City Detention Facility.
December 22, 2025	District Court enters temporary restraining order.
January 2, 2026	ICE and DHS file their opposition to Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction and Motion for Class Certification. ICE and DHS also file a Motion to Transfer Venue.
January 16, 2026	Plaintiffs file reply brief for Motion for Preliminary Injunction and reply brief for Motion for Class Certification. Plaintiffs also file an opposition to ICE's Motion to Transfer Venue.
January 20, 2026	U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff conduct oversight visit at California City Detention Facility.
January 22, 2026	U.S. Representative Ro Khanna (CA-17) sends letter to DHS and ICE regarding unacceptable conditions observed at the California City Detention Facility.
January 26, 2026	ICE files its reply brief for Motion to Transfer Venue.
February 5, 2026	Plaintiffs file first notice of noncompliance with Temporary Restraining Order related to urgent medical care needs.
February 6, 2026	Hearing in District Court for Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction, Plaintiffs' Motion for Class Certification, and ICE's Motion to Transfer Venue.
February 10, 2026	District Court issues order granting provisional class certification and granting preliminary injunction in part, including ordering appointment of an independent monitor for medical care and access to attorneys and temperature-appropriate clothing. Written opinion followed.
February 26, 2026	Plaintiffs file second notice of noncompliance with Temporary Restraining Order related to urgent medical care needs.
March 30, 2026	Court appoints Dr. M. Anandkumar as External Monitor and outlines the terms of his appointment.