(DUBLIN) – Ten Speakers at a time.
That is how many spoke in support of a formal resolution accompanied by letters to the Department of Justice (DOJ) opposing the repurposing of the former federal corrections center here as a future detention or correctional operations facility.
OpGov.ai platform wastes no time telling you the same for a second time.
“The Dublin City Council meeting on December 16, 2025, was largely dominated by impassioned public comments and a critical debate surrounding a resolution opposing the reopening of the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Dublin as a detention or correctional facility,” the platform notes.
Councilman Michael McCorriston credits Councilwoman Jean Josey for the resolution.
Brent Sanji was one of the first to speak, calling out Councilwoman Jean Josey as a “bad actor” behind the whole issue, contrary to Councilman Michael McCorriston, who credits the councilwoman.
“I really feel strongly and committed to this, and councilmember Josie, I know that you've been very key in all of this,” McCorriston said.
The local issue is a national fear with OpGov.ai reporting ICE Detention protests from Charlotte, North Carolina, to the West Coast’s Portland, Oregon.
Brent Sanji speaks during last night's meeting
Michelle Gonazalez opened strong, stating. “I am likely the teacher of someone in this room.”
Though not a resident, the 22-year Tri-Valley teacher said she has “dedicated a large portion of my life to service, to serving your community. “
Michele Gonzalez speaks during last night's meeting
Gonzalez told it like it is.
“I oppose in the name of my immigrant students from all backgrounds and their families the ICE facility or any other detention facility at the building located here in Dublin that is home to too many atrocities to name,” Gonzalez said.
The teacher shared the reality that “students themselves have been told to speak English or to go back to their country.”
Speaking of students, Rulin Chen spoke for her peers at the podium, prefacing with “today is the first day of finals at Dublin High, so as you can imagine, it's been very stressful on all the students.”
Chen asked officials to imagine what it would be like to take such an important exam while knowing your family could be torn apart by the time you reach home.
Rulie Chen speaks during last night's meeting
OpGov.ai precisely summed up Chen’s exact comments, with the AI platform reporting that local families, “particularly those in mixed-status households,” cannot afford to fear more “during a crucial time in their lives.”
Liz Schmidt, according to the platform, cited “abuses in such facilities, poorly paid workers, and negative economic impact on local businesses due to fear of ICE abductions.”
After thanking the council for the formal opposition, Emily Lowell, a public librarian and six-year Dublin resident, expressed her deep concern for community safety.
“She emphasized the moral imperative to oppose the reopening of FCI Dublin, fearing that an ICE detention center would create an atmosphere where neighbors are afraid to go outside, and children might be kept home from school due to fear of federal agents,” OpGov.ai platform reports.
A third-generation Japanese American and Bay Area resident, Steven Suzuki, “drew parallels between the proposed detention center and the Japanese internment camps where his parents were incarcerated," according to the platform.
Suzuki asked officials to be on the "right side of history" by passing the resolution and taking further actions of resistance against "fascist directions" from the government.
Linda Napp noted many reasons to deny reopening, beginning with the facility's uninhabitable conditions, including mold, asbestos, and crumbling infrastructure.
The 30-year Dublin resident and granddaughter of immigrants, and daughter of a WWII Veteran, Napp reiterated her opposition to FCI Dublin reopening as an ICE detention center.
She “expressed that her neighbors are immigrants and welcomed the city's support for diversity, equity, and inclusion, thanking the council for considering the resolution,” according to the platform.
Not to mention the history of sexual abuse leading to its closure, Napp noted.
History is what Councilman John Morada used to prove his point before he “set some boundaries.”
“A bunch of what you said certainly pulls at the heartstrings, but I will not be addressing what if or speculation,” Morada said. “Let's just make that clear right now.”
The councilman said last night the council was “conferring a set of facts about a building in our backyard.”
John Morada speaks during last night's meeting
“Facts have made one conclusion unavoidable that FCI Dublin is unfit for human habitation,” Morada said. “And must not be repurposed for detention of any kind; that is not a partisan position, it is a moral, practical, and evidence-based decision.
Maya Parra, a member of the East Bay Democratic Socialists of America's Migrants Defense Committee, encouraged the council to adopt the resolution.
“It is no secret the government is targeting California,” Parra said, adding that Department of Justice (DOJ) requests for lists indicate such.
Along with resolutions and letters to the DOJ, Parra urged the council to communicate with congressional representatives about the destruction of the site, which makes the community unsafe.
Maya Parra speaks during last night's meeting
Mayor Sherry Hu questioned the verbiage of an amendment resolution brought by Councilmember Qaadri.
"This is new information we haven't really fully discussed," Mayor Hu said.
Mayor Sherry Hu speaks during last night's meeting
Councilmember Kashef Qaadri also had concerns, saying he is not getting a consensus regarding Morada's objection to the verbiage as well.
After redrawing the third or fourth motion, which elected officials literally were not sure which was which, Josey said it was not fair to postpone a vote, since elected officials must make a decision now, given that many residents would have to show up for a third time if postponed.
"If it ends up in a divided vote, it does not send the message to the federal government or the message to Dublin," Josey said.
Ultimately, it was adopted with a minor amendment.
For this Dublin residents surely sigh with relief.
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