San Pedro detainee center shuts abruptly

The Daily Journal's Sandra Hernandez reports that attorneys for immigrants being held in the U.S. facility are livid.

In the wake of a series of scandals including the death of a Mexican man with AIDS, allegations of forced druggings, and the loss of accreditation, federal officials abruptly shut down the San Pedro detention center used to house 600 immigrants.

U.S. Immigration and Customs officials Tuesday said the facility was closed for renovations. Virginia Kice, a spokeswoman for the agency, said officials were "contacting all attorneys who filed representation forms for detainees at the facility."

But angry lawyers and detainees said Monday the agency failed to provide them any advance notice.

"That is bullshit," said Nikhil Shah, a Los Angeles immigration attorney who represents a Salvadoran legal resident. "I'm the attorney of record, and I was never notified," Shah said.

Shah said he visited the San Pedro facility on Friday and was assured by deportation officers and staff that his client was fine and ready to appear in court this week. On Monday, Shah said he was given conflicting information about his client's location.