Otay Mesa Detention Center
San Diego, California · 38 well-documented stories
What stands out here
Conditions that appear in a larger share of this facility's stories than of facility stories in general. Stories run from Jan 2025 to Oct 2026.
- Extreme heat or cold13% vs 3%
Held in a freezing or dangerously hot space (hieleras, no heat, no air conditioning in summer).
- No bed, sleep, or basic hygiene11% vs 5%
Slept on the floor, no bed or blanket, lights on all night, no shower, no toilet access, or similar.
- Solitary confinement11% vs 4%
Placed in isolation or segregation.
share of stories hereacross all facilities
Everything the stories describe here
- Medical requests ignored · 7 stories
Requests for care, a doctor, or an emergency response were refused, delayed, or dismissed.
- Extreme heat or cold · 5 stories
Held in a freezing or dangerously hot space (hieleras, no heat, no air conditioning in summer).
- Food or water withheld · 4 stories
The person went without food or water for an extended period, or was given spoiled or inadequate food.
- No bed, sleep, or basic hygiene · 4 stories
Slept on the floor, no bed or blanket, lights on all night, no shower, no toilet access, or similar.
- Solitary confinement · 4 stories
Placed in isolation or segregation.
- Medication withheld · 3 stories
Prescribed medication (insulin, HIV drugs, psychiatric medication, seizure drugs, chemotherapy) was taken, withheld, or not provided.
- Overcrowding · 3 stories
Held in a space far over capacity: a holding cell, a bus, an airport facility, a tent.
- Abuse or threats by staff · 2 stories
Beatings, threats, humiliation, slurs, or theft by guards or staff.
- Punished for complaining or organizing · 2 stories
Isolation, transfer, lost privileges, or threats after the person complained, filed a grievance, spoke to media, organized, or joined a hunger strike.
- Injury needing medical treatment · 1 story
The person or a bystander was hurt badly enough to need medical care.
- Shackled or chained · 1 story
Shackled, chained, zip-tied for long periods, restrained during transport or medical care, or held in a restraint chair.
- Force on family or bystanders · 1 story
Physical force was used on a relative, child, observer, or bystander, not only the arrest target.
- Suicide, attempt, or self-harm · 1 story
The person died by suicide, attempted it, or harmed themselves.
In their words
No verbatim testimony extracted yet.
Stories
Renatho C.: Haitian student seeking asylum arrested by ICE while driving to classRenatho Casseus, 20, a San Diego City College student with a pending asylum case, was arrested Sept. 8 driving to class. A judge has now ordered his release from Otay Mesa.San Diego, CA · Oct 16, 2026 · MigraPrep, KPBS
Renatho C.: Haitian student arrested by ICE near San Diego campusRenatho Casseus, 20, a Haitian student at San Diego City College, was boxed in and arrested near campus, then held at Otay Mesa. A judge ordered his release.San Diego, CA · Oct 16, 2026 · KPBS, NBC San Diego, San Diego City Times +6
Assim A.: Asylum seeker with valid work permit detained by ICE at Camp PendletonAssim Alkhawaja, 53, a Palestinian asylum seeker and graduate student with a valid work permit, was detained while dropping off Lyft riders at Camp Pendleton and held over a week before release on bond.Oceanside, CA · Oct 1, 2026 · NBC San Diego, Capital & Main, Times of San Diego +5- Asylum-seeking mother's kidney infection went untreated for months at Otay MesaA Colombian mother seeking asylum after fleeing domestic violence says a kidney infection went undertreated for months at Otay Mesa, leading to hospitalization. A guard also cut off her phone contact with her two children for 30 days.San Diego, CA · Sep 13, 2026 · Daylight San Diego, Times of San Diego, Standing Record
- Kevin P.O.: Honduran son of U.S. citizen arrested by Border Patrol, denied bond hearingA Honduran man with no criminal record who has lived in the U.S. over a decade was held at Otay Mesa after a border-area stop. A judge ordered him a bond hearing by September 25, 2026.San Diego, CA · Sep 10, 2026 · CourtListener
Esteban R.S.: Marine's father deported to Mexico within a day without a hearingEsteban Rios Sosa was deported to Mexico after visiting Camp Pendleton to see his Marine daughter, despite a pending U visa application. A judge ordered his return, and he crossed back to reunite with family.Oceanside, CA · Sep 10, 2026 · Daylight San Diego, ABC News, NBC San Diego +2
Benito M.H.: Navy veteran with three Iraq tours detained by ICE leaving reentry programBenito Miranda Hernandez, a Navy veteran of three Iraq tours brought to the U.S. as a baby, was detained leaving a reentry program in San Diego after his green card was reinstated. He now faces possible deportation.San Diego, CA · Aug 25, 2026 · Azure Edge CDN, Al Jazeera, NBC San Diego +1
DJ held nearly four months at Otay Mesa, alleges forced pregnancy testA Mexican woman known in Stockton's music scene as DJ Reina Azteca was held nearly four months at Otay Mesa, where she says she was forced to take a pregnancy test and held in a cold cell.San Diego, CA · Jul 28, 2026 · LA Taco, Daily Cast News
Woman who uses a cane injured in medication mix-up at Otay MesaA Mexican woman who uses a cane was injured at Otay Mesa when staff gave her another detainee's laxative instead of her medication, causing a fall that hurt her knee, back and hips.San Diego, CA · Jun 24, 2026 · KPBS, ACLU San Diego
77-year-old man with liver disease held in ICE solitary against doctors' adviceA 77-year-old Iranian man with a rare liver disease was held in solitary confinement at Otay Mesa and lost 10 pounds over six weeks. A judge ordered his release in January.San Diego, CA · Jun 24, 2026 · KPBS, iNews Source
Russian man held 17 months at Otay Mesa reports eye infection outbreakA 39-year-old Russian man held 17 months at Otay Mesa filed grievances exposing severe sanitary conditions, including just two working urinals for over 100 detainees. He also advocated for other detainees before being released in 2026.San Diego, CA · Jun 17, 2026 · iNews Source, CourtListener
Hanne E.: Diabetic Norwegian denied insulin after ICE detains herHanne Engan, a 24-year-old Norwegian married to a U.S. citizen, was held at Otay Mesa for over a week where she says ICE confiscated her insulin and denied her care, leading to dangerously high blood sugar.San Diego, CA · Jun 16, 2026 · iNews Source, Diabetech, KRQE +5- Marlon C.M.: Ecuadorian man detained by ICE without bond hearing at Otay MesaAn Ecuadorian man held at Otay Mesa Detention Facility says he was never given a bond hearing. A court has appointed him a lawyer and paused his removal while it reviews his case.San Diego, CA · May 14, 2026 · CourtListener, Habeas Dockets
Milena A.D.: DACA recipient arrested by ICE right after her green card approvalMilena Araya-Davis, a 27-year-old therapist brought to the U.S. from Peru at age 4, was arrested right after her green card approval and held a week at Otay Mesa, sleeping on the floor.San Diego, CA · May 11, 2026 · NBC San Diego, CBS 8, Radio Bilingüe +1
ICE imposes new restrictions on congressional visits to detention facilitiesReps. Mike Levin and Sara Jacobs made an unannounced oversight visit to Otay Mesa detention facility, after which ICE issued a new policy requiring two days' notice and detainee consent before lawmakers can speak with them.San Diego, CA · Apr 2, 2026 · The Guardian, KPBS, WGN Radio +2- Otay Mesa detainees throw notes over fence alleging poor food, medical neglectDetainees at Otay Mesa threw handwritten notes over the fence describing 280 days without fresh fruit, cold cells, and poor medical care. A congressman and county supervisors were denied entry to inspect the facility.San Diego, CA · Feb 16, 2026 · International Business Times, NBC San Diego, LA Taco +2
Reinaldo C. and Kris P.T.: Chula Vista parents detained by ICE dropping young sons at schoolA Venezuelan father and Colombian mother were detained after dropping their sons, 12 and 4, at school in Chula Vista. After two weeks held at Otay Mesa, a judge granted bond and reunited the family.Chula Vista, CA · Jan 27, 2026 · 10News, iNews Source, KPBS +2
Hanne D.: Diabetic Norwegian woman detained by ICE at green card interview, denied careHanne Daguman, a Norwegian student with Type 1 diabetes, was detained at her green card interview and held nine days at Otay Mesa without proper care. A judge closed her case, but she still wears an ankle monitor.San Diego, CA · Jan 2026 · Newsweek, 10News, Diabetech +3
Victor R.O.: La Playa Taco Shop owner deported to Mexico after two-month ICE detentionVictor Rodriguez Ocampo Sr., 54, who ran La Playa Taco Shop in Mission Beach for about 30 years, was deported to Mexico after two months at Otay Mesa Detention Center. His son's GoFundMe has raised over $18,500 for the family.San Diego, CA · Dec 31, 2025 · Times of San Diego, PressBee, 10News
Viktoriia B.: Ukrainian wife of man with cancer detained five days by ICEViktoriia Bulavina, a Ukrainian woman married to a U.S. citizen with cancer, was handcuffed after her green card interview and held five days. She was released after media attention but now faces removal.San Diego, CA · Dec 11, 2025 · NBC News, San Diego Union-Tribune, KPBS +8- Diana S.L.: DJ seeking asylum held unclothed in cold cell after ICE check-inDiana Sanchez Ledezma, a Stockton DJ known as DJ Reina Azteca, was detained at a routine check-in in December 2025. After months in custody marked by medical fear, a judge freed her in April.San Diego, CA · Dec 2025 · Daylight San Diego, Daily Cast News
Matheus S.: Army veteran's husband detained by ICE at San Diego green card interviewMatheus Silveira, 30, was detained at his own green card interview in San Diego just after it was approved; his wife, an Army veteran, now plans to move with him to Brazil.San Diego, CA · Nov 24, 2025 · Newsweek, G1
Victor R.O.: Longtime San Diego taco shop owner deported by ICE, restaurant closesVictor Rodriguez Ocampo Sr., 54, who ran Pacific Beach's La Playa Taco Shop for 30 years, was detained outside his home and deported to Mexico. His son kept the restaurant running before it closed in September 2026.San Diego, CA · Nov 20, 2025 · Times of San Diego, San Diego Ville, News Beep
Chanidaphon S.: Thai wife of retired Marine arrested by ICE at green card interviewChanidaphon Sopimpa, a Thai national married to a retired Marine, was arrested during her final green card interview and detained at Otay Mesa. She has no criminal history and awaits a bond hearing.San Diego, CA · Nov 18, 2025 · NBC News, NBC San Diego, B Times Online
Luisa R. and Esteban R.: Marine's mother detained by ICE at Camp Pendleton gate visiting pregnant daughterLuisa Rodriguez, in the U.S. over 30 years, was detained at Camp Pendleton visiting her pregnant daughter, a new Marine. She was held nearly three weeks; her husband was deported to Tijuana.Oceanside, CA · Oct 31, 2025 · Hindustan Times, NBC San Diego, Marine Corps Times +2
Victor R.O.: La Playa Taco Shop owner deported after two months in ICE detentionVictor Rodriguez Ocampo Sr., 54, owner of La Playa Taco Shop, was deported to Mexico after two months at Otay Mesa Detention Center. His son now runs the restaurant.National City, CA · Oct 31, 2025 · Times of San Diego, CBS 8, 10News +1
David A.P.: Salvadoran man held nearly five months by ICE without a bond hearingDavid Antonio Aviles Perez, a 35-year-old Salvadoran national, was held at Otay Mesa for nearly five months without a bond hearing. A federal judge ruled his detention violated due process and ordered his release in August.San Diego, CA · Aug 27, 2025 · Fox News, NK2 News, CRBC News +2
Kyungjin Y.: Mother arrested by ICE at Chula Vista school drop-off, children in carKyungjin Yu, a South Korean mother, was arrested outside her children's Chula Vista school during drop-off, leaving her two kids in her car until their father arrived. She remains held at Otay Mesa Detention Center.Chula Vista, CA · Aug 8, 2025 · Korea Daily, KPBS, iNews Source +2
Avirmed: Deaf Mongolian asylum seeker held 4 months without sign language interpreterA deaf Mongolian asylum seeker, known as Avirmed (a pseudonym), spent over four months at Otay Mesa Detention Center with no one who understood his sign language. A judge ordered officials to provide an interpreter and redo his evaluations.San Diego, CA · Jul 9, 2025 · CalMatters, American Briefs
Sayed N.: Afghan military translator arrested by ICE at San Diego court hearingSayed Naser, an Afghan military translator who aided U.S. forces, was detained during a San Diego immigration hearing in June 2025. A judge ordered his release in September, finding his detention violated due process.San Diego, CA · Jun 12, 2025 · Los Angeles Times, Fox 5 San Diego, Times of San Diego +1
Construction worker held a year by ICE over license plate coverA construction worker was detained a year after a traffic stop over a license plate cover, leaving his wife to support their two kids by babysitting until he was granted bond and reunited with his children.Southwest Florida, FL · Jun 2025 · WUSF, WLRN
Jasmine M.: Canadian actress held 12 days in freezing ICE cellsJasmine Mooney, a Canadian actress and beverage entrepreneur, was detained by U.S. border officials while applying for a work visa and held for 12 days in freezing cells before being transferred across three facilities.San Ysidro, CA · Apr 2, 2025 · NPR, New York Times, CBC
Jorge L.L.: Father of four, U.S. citizen's husband, held in El Cajon ICE raidJorge Lopez Leon, a father of four married to a U.S. citizen, was detained at Otay Mesa after an armed raid on an El Cajon paint business.El Cajon, CA · Mar 27, 2025 · Times of San Diego, Capital & Main, Calo News +1
Nicolas R.: Father of three U.S. citizens detained by ICE after 35 yearsNicolas Rodriguez, a landscaping business owner with three U.S. citizen children, has lived in the country over 35 years. He is held at Otay Mesa and must soon choose voluntary departure or deportation.Los Angeles, CA · Feb 25, 2025 · CBS News, Times of San Diego
Lucas S.: German man held over two weeks by ICE at San Diego borderLucas Sielaff, 25, was detained after trying to cross from Tijuana to see his American fiancée, then chose to leave the country after weeks in custody.San Diego, CA · Feb 18, 2025 · 10News, PBS, NBC San Diego
Bayartulga A.: Deaf Mongolian asylum seeker held by ICE, denied sign language interpreterBayartulga Avirmed, a deaf Mongolian asylum seeker with a traumatic brain injury, was held at Otay Mesa without a sign language interpreter until a judge ordered one. He was freed in July and now lives with his sister in Virginia.San Diego, CA · Feb 1, 2025 · CalMatters, Courthouse News, Disability Law United +3
Angela M.M.: Mother of four U.S. citizens arrested by ICE at supermarket jobAngela Mata Mendoza, a supermarket worker of 10 years married to a U.S. citizen with four citizen children, was detained during her shift despite never missing a check-in; her lawyer won her release.Escondido, CA · Jan 27, 2025 · Criminal Defense Law Center West Michigan, Brooks Law Firm, Legal Reach +7
Jessica B.: German tattoo artist held over a month after border stopJessica Brösche, a 26-year-old German tattoo artist, was denied entry at San Diego and has spent over a month in ICE detention, including eight days in solitary confinement.San Diego, CA · Jan 25, 2025 · The Guardian, New York Times, CNN
Where people stood at the latest report
Each square is one percent of these stories. Read it with care: people who are still detained or already deported have far less access to reporters and lawyers than people who were released, so this mix reflects who gets covered more than how cases end.
- Deported 13%
- Still detained 34%
- Released 47%
- Unknown 5%