California bans use of for-profit, private detention facilities

California is banning the use of for-profit, private detention facilities, including those under contract to the federal government to hold immigrants awaiting deportation hearings.

Governor Gavin Newsom signed a measure into law that helps fulfill his promise to end the use of private prisons. But the state prison system was already phasing them out despite its mandate to stay under a federal population cap.

Immigrant advocates say they welcome the bill. Federal officials are saying immigration enforcement will still take place. United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) says California accounts for less than 10 percent of ICE's detention capacity.