Case: County of San Diego v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security

3:26-cv-01520 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California

Filed Date: March 10, 2026

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This case is a challenge to CoreCivic’s refusal to allow the County of San Diego to perform a health and safety inspection of the Otay Mesa Detention Center. On March 10, 2026, the County of San Diego sued the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), CoreCivic, Inc., and their respective leadership in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. The plaintiffs challenged the defendants’ refusal to allow them to conduct a sta…

This case is a challenge to CoreCivic’s refusal to allow the County of San Diego to perform a health and safety inspection of the Otay Mesa Detention Center.

On March 10, 2026, the County of San Diego sued the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), CoreCivic, Inc., and their respective leadership in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. The plaintiffs challenged the defendants’ refusal to allow them to conduct a state-authorized health and safety inspection at the Otay Mesa Detention Center. According to the complaint, federal officials blocked local health officers from completing a scheduled site visit in February 2026 despite earlier approvals. The County argued that this refusal violated the Administrative Procedure Act and interfered with state-authorized oversight duties intended to protect detainees and the community. The plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief for access to inspect the facility, reversal of the defendants’ exclusionary decision, and expenses incurred, including attorneys’ fees.

On March 13, 2026, the plaintiffs filed a motion for a preliminary injunction. The motion requested that the court preliminarily enjoin defendants from interfering with the plaintiffs’ right to conduct a health and safety inspection of the Otay Mesa Detention Facility.

This case is in the early stages of litigation, and briefing on the plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction is pending as of April 2026.

show full summary

Summary Authors

Sofia Yoder (4/20/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72418655/parties/county-of-san-diego-v-us-department-of-homeland-security/

Attorney for Plaintiff

Brown, Damon M. (California)

Attorney for Defendant

Boutelle, Betsey (California)

CV, U S (California)

Keene, Dana M. (California)

Mahoney, Matthew Miguel (California)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Brown, Damon M. (California)

Masterson, Michael Paul (California)

Stotland, David Meir (California)

Attorney for Defendant

Boutelle, Betsey (California)

CV, U S (California)

Keene, Dana M. (California)

Mahoney, Matthew Miguel (California)

Orcutt, Anne M. (California)

Struck, Daniel P (California)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

	Document
1 3:26-cv-01520	Complaint for Injunctive and Declaratory Relief to Enforce State-Authorized Health and Safety Inspection Rights	March 10, 2026	March 10, 2026 Complaint

show / hide documents

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72418655/county-of-san-diego-v-us-department-of-homeland-security/

Last updated June 8, 2026, 3:28 a.m.

ECF Number	Description	Date	Link Date / Link
1	COMPLAINT against CoreCivic, Inc., Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number ACASDC-20879449.), filed by County of San Diego. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)The new case number is 3:26-cv-1520-JES-MSB. Judge James E. Simmons, Jr. and Magistrate Judge Michael S. Berg are assigned to the case. (Masterson, Michael)(dde) (anh). (Entered: 03/11/2026) 1 Civil Cover Sheet View on PACER	March 10, 2026	March 10, 2026 Clearinghouse
2	Summons Issued. Counsel receiving this notice electronically should print this summons and serve it in accordance with Rule 4, Fed.R.Civ.P and LR 4.1. (dde) (anh). (Entered: 03/11/2026)	March 11, 2026	March 11, 2026
3	MOTION for Preliminary Injunction by County of San Diego. (Attachments: # 1 Memo of Points and Authorities, # 2 Declaration Declaration and Exhibits, # 3 Proof of Service)(Masterson, Michael) (maq). (Entered: 03/13/2026) 1 Memo of Points and Authorities View on PACER 2 Declaration Declaration and Exhibits View on PACER 3 Proof of Service View on PACER	March 13, 2026	March 13, 2026 RECAP
4	SUMMONS Returned Executed by County of San Diego. U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California served. (Masterson, Michael) (maq). (Entered: 03/16/2026)	March 16, 2026	March 16, 2026
5	SUMMONS Returned Executed by County of San Diego. CoreCivic, Inc. served. (Masterson, Michael) (maq). (Entered: 03/19/2026)	March 19, 2026	March 19, 2026
6	SUMMONS Returned Executed by County of San Diego. Kristi Noem served. (Masterson, Michael) (maq). (Entered: 03/19/2026)	March 19, 2026	March 19, 2026
7	SUMMONS Returned Executed by County of San Diego. Todd Lyons served. (Masterson, Michael) (maq). (Entered: 03/19/2026)	March 19, 2026	March 19, 2026
8	CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by County of San Diego re 3 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction to U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California (Masterson, Michael) (maq). (Entered: 03/19/2026)	March 19, 2026	March 19, 2026
9	CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by County of San Diego re 3 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction to CORECIVIC INC. (Masterson, Michael) (maq). (Entered: 03/19/2026)	March 19, 2026	March 19, 2026
10	CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by County of San Diego re 3 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction to Kristi Noem U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California (Masterson, Michael) (maq). (Entered: 03/20/2026)	March 20, 2026	March 20, 2026
11	CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by County of San Diego re 3 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction to Kristi Noem at U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California (Masterson, Michael) (maq). (Entered: 03/23/2026)	March 23, 2026	March 23, 2026
12	CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by County of San Diego re 3 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction for Todd Lyons - U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California (Masterson, Michael) (maq). (Entered: 03/24/2026)	March 24, 2026	March 24, 2026
13	Ex Parte MOTION to Continue Deadline to File Responses to Plaintiff's Motion for Preliminary Injunction (Dkt. 3) by CoreCivic, Inc. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Dana M. Keene)(Keene, Dana)Attorney Dana M. Keene added to party CoreCivic, Inc. (pty:dft) (maq). (Entered: 03/27/2026)	March 27, 2026	March 27, 2026
14	Request to Appear Pro Hac Vice (Filing fee received: $ 224 receipt number ACASDC-20958559.)(Application to be reviewed by Clerk.) (Struck, Daniel)(jrd) (Entered: 03/27/2026)	March 27, 2026	March 27, 2026
15	Request to Appear Pro Hac Vice (Filing fee received: $ 224 receipt number ACASDC-20958591.)(Application to be reviewed by Clerk.) (Orcutt, Anne)(jrd) (Entered: 03/27/2026)	March 27, 2026	March 27, 2026
16	PRO HAC APPROVED: Anne M. Orcutt, Daniel P. Struck appearing for Defendant CoreCivic, Inc. (no document attached) (jrd) (Entered: 03/27/2026)	March 27, 2026	March 27, 2026
	Pro Hac Vice Approved - Clerk	March 27, 2026	March 27, 2026
17	ORDER Granting in Part Defendant's Ex Parte Motion to Continue Deadline to Respond to Motion for Preliminary Injunction [ECF No. 13 ]. Responses due by 4/15/2026; Replies due by 4/22/2026. Motion Hearing reset to 5/6/2026 11:00 AM before District Judge James E. Simmons Jr. Signed by District Judge James E. Simmons, Jr on 3/30/2026. (maq) (Entered: 03/30/2026)	March 30, 2026	March 30, 2026 RECAP
18	CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by County of San Diego re 3 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction to U.S. Attorney General (Masterson, Michael) (maq). (Entered: 04/01/2026)	April 1, 2026	April 1, 2026
19	CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by County of San Diego re 3 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (Masterson, Michael) (maq). (Entered: 04/01/2026)	April 1, 2026	April 1, 2026
20	Joint MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer by CoreCivic, Inc. (Orcutt, Anne) (maq). (Entered: 04/03/2026)	April 3, 2026	April 3, 2026
21	ORDER Granting Joint Motion to Extend [ECF No. 20 ]. CoreCivic, Inc. answer due 5/19/2026. Signed by District Judge James E. Simmons, Jr on 4/7/2026. (maq) (Entered: 04/07/2026)	April 7, 2026	April 7, 2026
22	** DOCUMENT WITHDRAWN PER ECF 24 ** SUMMONS Returned Executed by County of San Diego. U.S. Attorney General served. (Masterson, Michael) Modified on 4/14/2026 to send QC Email re: Document not captioned; should have been an attachment / withdraw and refile (maq). Modified on 4/15/2026 to withdraw (maq). (Entered: 04/13/2026)	April 13, 2026	April 13, 2026
23	** DOCUMENT WITHDRAWN PER ECF 24 ** SUMMONS Returned Executed by County of San Diego. Todd Lyons served. (Masterson, Michael) Modified on 4/14/2026 to send QC Email re: Document not captioned; should have been an attachment / withdraw and refile (maq). Modified on 4/15/2026 to withdraw (maq). (Entered: 04/13/2026)	April 13, 2026	April 13, 2026
24	NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF DOCUMENT 22, 23 by County of San Diego re 22 Summons Returned Executed filed by County of San Diego, 23 Summons Returned Executed filed by County of San Diego . (Masterson, Michael) (maq). (Entered: 04/14/2026)	April 14, 2026	April 14, 2026
25	SUMMONS Returned Executed by County of San Diego. U.S. Attorney General served. (Masterson, Michael) (maq). (Entered: 04/14/2026)	April 14, 2026	April 14, 2026
26	SUMMONS Returned Executed by County of San Diego. Todd Lyons served. (Masterson, Michael) (maq). (Entered: 04/14/2026)	April 14, 2026	April 14, 2026
27	NOTICE of Appearance by Betsey Boutelle on behalf of Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Boutelle, Betsey)Attorney Betsey Boutelle added to party Todd Lyons(pty:dft), Attorney Betsey Boutelle added to party Kristi Noem(pty:dft), Attorney Betsey Boutelle added to party U.S. Department of Homeland Security(pty:dft), Attorney Betsey Boutelle added to party U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement(pty:dft) (maq). (Entered: 04/15/2026)	April 15, 2026	April 15, 2026
28	RESPONSE in Opposition re 3 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Warden C. LaRose with Attachments A through L, # 2 Declaration of Chad E. Torres with Exhibits 1 and 2)(Boutelle, Betsey) (maq). (Entered: 04/15/2026)	April 15, 2026	April 15, 2026
29	NOTICE of Joinder by CoreCivic, Inc. re 28 Response in Opposition to Motion, (Orcutt, Anne) (maq). (Entered: 04/15/2026)	April 15, 2026	April 15, 2026 RECAP
30	REPLY to Response to Motion re 3 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by County of San Diego. (Attachments: # 1 Proof of Service)(Masterson, Michael) (maq). (Entered: 04/22/2026)	April 22, 2026	April 22, 2026
31	Minute Entry for proceedings held before District Judge James E. Simmons, Jr: Motion Hearing held on 5/6/2026. 3 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction is to be granted. Parties ordered to meet and confer regarding Scope and Personnel for inspection. Supplemental briefing for any disputes due 5/27/2026. Answer deadlines extended to 6/11/2026 for CoreCivic, and 6/10/2026 for Federal defendants.(Court Reporter/ECR Amanda LeGore). (Plaintiff Attorney Michael Masterson, David Stotland). (Defendant Attorney Betsey Boutelle, Anne Orcutt). (no document attached) (ekb) (Entered: 05/07/2026)	May 6, 2026	May 6, 2026
	Motion Hearing	May 7, 2026	May 7, 2026

show / hide docket entries

Case Details

State / Territory:

California

Case Type(s):

Prison Conditions

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: March 10, 2026

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

The County of San Diego

Plaintiff Type(s):

City/County Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Federal

CoreCivic, Inc.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Defendant Type(s):

Corrections

Jurisdiction-wide

Law-enforcement

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.

Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201

Other Dockets:

Southern District of California 3:26-cv-01520

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Relief Granted:

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

General/Misc.:

Conditions of confinement

Immigration/Border:

Detention - conditions

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of County of San Diego v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/47889/ (last updated 4/20/2026).