DHS buys two detention centers in California

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (CNN, KYMA) - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security bought two of the biggest immigration detention facilities in California.

Officials with CoreCivic, a private prison company, say the deal was worth $1.5 billion. The sale became official on July 2, according to a filing with the SEC.

In a news release, CoreCivic says it plans to resume being in charge of the everyday operations under the current contracts with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The contract for the facility in California City ends next August.

The Otay-Mesa deal goes through December 2029, with an option to extend for a few more years.