An interfaith group of clergy and advocates has launched a 96-mile pilgrimage through Southern California to call for the shutdown of the Adelanto facility. the weeklong journey, which began near the Adelanto detention center, aims to highlight what organizers describe as inhumane conditions within immigration detention centers.
The 96-mile trek from Adelanto to Fontana
The 96-mile trek from Adelanto to Fontana serves as a physical manifestation of a growing religious and social movement against immigration detention. Organized by Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice, the pilgrimage aims to draw attention to the Adelanto detention center and similar facilities across the country.
The route traverses a diverse range of Southern California landscapes, including desert, forest, mountainous, and urban terrain. Participants left the Bonita Ranch Campground in Lytle Creek on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, as they began the arduous journey toward Fontana. The organizers noted that the physical hardship of the walk is intended to mirror the struggles faced by those held in detention.
Rev. Jennifer Gutierrez and the Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice
Rev. Jennifer Gutierrez, a minister from the United Methodist Church in Los Angeles, is leading the effort as the executive director of Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice. Gutierrez described the pilgrimage as a "sacred practice" that combines a physical journey to a specific site with a deeper spiritual undertaking .
The group includes a wide variety of participants, ranging from religious leaders to members of the general public. Among those involved in the Lytle Creek area was Rabbi Jason Van Leeuwen, as well as Joette Orman, who accompanied her daughter, Sage Orman, during the departure from the campground. As the source reported, this marks the first event of its kind to unite such a broad interfaith coalition.
ICE's rebuttal of 'deplorable' facility conditions
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has issued a formal defense against the claims made by the pilgrimage organizers. An unnamed spokesperson for ICE stated in an email that the Adelanto facility provides safe, secure , and humane conditions that are consistent with national standards for detention centers.
The ICE spokesperson specifically addressed concerns regarding basic necessities, noting that water is accessible 24 hours a day and is tested by state-certified, third-party laboratories. Furthermore, the agency claims that detainees receive three nutritious meals a day tailored to special diets, along with accesss to medical, dental, and mental health services , including emergency care.
The missing details behind reported deaths in custody
Significant details remain missing regarding the specific allegations of fatalities at immigration detention centers. While the organizers' news release claims that "deplorable conditions and deaths" are driving the protest, the report does not provide specific names, dates, or documented evidence of these incidents.
Additionally, the source does not include a response from the detainees themselves or any independent oversight bodies regarding the specific "deplorable" conditions cited by the clergy. This leaves a gap between the spiritual and moral claims of the protesters and the administrative assurances provided by ICE.
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