Lack of Sanitation in ICE and CBP Facilities

BURBANK, CA - The Trump administration uses more and more for-profit contractors to detain immigrants. Reports from a September 2020, congressional investigation in California and Arizona show that these detention centers have safety and health violations.

The inspections were done at CoreCivic, GEO Group and in 22 other facilities from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as well as, Customs and Border Protection (CBP.) During the review of these facilities, some immigrants reported that if contracted personnel do not see a medical need as an emergency, it goes unreported. According to the congressional investigation, detained immigrants with chronic medical conditions were left untreated.

(Credit: ABC15 // Eloy Detention Center)

The review noted that these facilities lacked medical staff. Amanda Gilchrist, the director of public affairs at Eloy Detention Center, said CoreCivics does not provide medical care services. ICE Health Services Corps is responsible for providing dental, medical and mental health care to the detainees.

Christopher V. Ferreira, the GEO Group spokesperson, said their Adelanto processing center provides a safe environment and high-quality care. Ferreira added that in 2019 they had provided medical services to 54,000 patients and that they have approximately 79 health professionals on-site.

In recent years there were reports of immigrants who died in the custody of these facilities. As of 2012, six deaths, including Vicente Caceres-Maradiaga, 46, have been reported at the Adelanto facility. The investigation revealed that Caceres-Maradiaga died of an enlarged heart and liver.

In 2018 CoreCivics reported multiple deaths, including Huy Chi Tran, 47, died of cardiac arrest. Records show that while Tran was in custody at Eloy Detention Center, he spent days in solitary confinement and the guard did not check on him but falsified logs.

An inspection from 2018 found expired food and deplorable bathrooms during unannounced visits at four ICE facilities. The ongoing pandemic and large amounts of arrest have only made the situation at the detention centers worse. Detainees face a lack of sanitation and proper handling from personnel.

As of September 23, more than 6,000 detainees have contracted coronavirus while in custody and at least four have died.

By: Miriam Frutos Rodriguez

Contributions: CNN

Photo:ABC15

Audio: Miriam Frutos Rodriguez (commentary)

EDUCATE YOURSELF

Covdi-19 Cases at Eloy Detention Center

Detention Centers Are Being Cleared Out, Says Trump Administration

Ban On Private Immigration Centers