The death of Cuban migrant Geraldo Lunas Campos at the ICE detention center in El Paso is being investigated as a possible homicide. An El Paso County Medical Examiner’s Office employee informed Lunas Campos’ daughter that the preliminary cause of death was asphyxia due to neck and chest compression. The final determination awaits the toxicology report, while the FBI is likely investigating as homicides at federal facilities are typically under their jurisdiction. Lunas Campos, 55, was reportedly in segregation after a “disruptive” incident and died on January 3rd after struggling with guards.
Read More
The president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe is calling for the immediate release of tribal members detained by ICE agents in Minneapolis. Three out of the four tribal members arrested have been transferred to an ICE facility at Fort Snelling, with one released from detention. The tribe has asserted that tribal members are not subject to immigration jurisdiction and has refused to enter an agreement with ICE. Concerns are raised due to the history of Fort Snelling and previous incidents of ICE detaining tribal members.
Read More
The president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe is demanding the immediate release of three tribal members detained by ICE agents in Minneapolis and transferred to an ICE facility. The tribe asserts that its members are U.S. citizens and outside immigration jurisdiction. Homeland Security has been unwilling to provide information about the detentions unless the tribe enters an immigration agreement with ICE, which it refuses to do. The detentions highlight a broader pattern of ICE targeting of tribal members, prompting some tribes to take measures like providing tribal ID cards.
Read More
African man dies while under ICE detention at Moshannon Valley Processing Center, a place that is being described as a “cruel euphemism for a concentration camp.” The details are stark: a 46-year-old man, held for 215 days awaiting an immigration review, died this week after complaining of chest pain. This is a tragic event, especially considering it’s the second death in ICE custody this week. The fact that the man had a criminal record seems almost secondary in the face of such a loss. The fundamental question arises: is this the way we want our society to function?
The very notion of indefinite detention, especially in facilities run by a system like ICE, appears to be a source of significant concern.… Continue reading
Nenko Gantchev, a 56-year-old Bulgarian, died in detention at the North Lake Processing Center in Michigan, the largest ICE facility in the Midwest, marking the first death at the facility. Congressional sources reported the death, which occurred during a year with a record high number of deaths in ICE custody. Concerns regarding Gantchev’s death, including potential medical neglect and inhumane conditions, have been raised by U.S. representatives and advocates, prompting calls for a transparent investigation. The facility is owned and operated by GEO Group, a private prison company, and opened in June, holding a record number of detainees, many of whom have no criminal convictions.
Read More
A San Diego man is seeking his wife’s release from the Otay Mesa Detention Center after she was detained by ICE following her green card interview. Viktoriia Bulavina, a Ukrainian refugee with Temporary Protective Status (TPS), was detained despite having a pending TPS extension. Her husband, Viktor Korol, is working with an immigration attorney to secure her release, highlighting the emotional distress and lack of proper resources she is experiencing. According to Bulavina’s attorney, her detention is unjustified, emphasizing that she has complied with all requirements.
Read More
A federal class-action lawsuit has been filed against the U.S. government on behalf of seven detainees at California City ICE detention center, alleging inhumane conditions and medical neglect. The complaint details claims of denied medications, insufficient food, and a “decrepit” facility, with residents describing the conditions as “torture” and “hell on earth.” The lawsuit cites instances of delayed or absent medical care, including lack of access to essential medications, disability accommodations, and cancer treatment. The Department of Homeland Security disputes the claims.
Read More
A new lawsuit alleges that an ICE facility in Broadview, Chicago, is subjecting detainees to inhumane conditions, including overcrowding, unsanitary cells infested with insects, and inadequate access to food, water, and hygiene products. The lawsuit claims detainees are denied basic necessities, legal counsel, and medical care, with reports of verbal and physical abuse from guards. Homeland Security denies the accusations, asserting the facility is a processing center and not a detention center. This legal action highlights the ongoing controversy surrounding ICE detention facilities amidst increased immigration enforcement.
Read More
A letter sent to ICE officials and Senate committees detailed mistreatment and neglect experienced by over a dozen pregnant women in immigration custody. The women reported substandard medical care, including being shackled, placed in solitary confinement, and denied necessities like prenatal vitamins. Advocates are pressing for the release of all pregnant women in custody and an end to the detention of those known to be pregnant, postpartum, or nursing. These allegations, which include reports of miscarriages and psychological harm, contradict a previous statement from DHS denying mistreatment of pregnant detainees. The experiences described allegedly violate a Biden administration directive regarding the detention of pregnant individuals.
Read More
An ICE detention facility in Texas is under scrutiny for allegedly inhumane conditions, according to a recent court filing. The filing details accounts of children experiencing shortages of clean water, sleep deprivation, inadequate medical care, and a lack of hygiene products, mirroring a “prison-like environment.” Legal groups monitoring child detention assert that the facility’s conditions violate basic detention standards. The facility is run by CoreCivic on behalf of ICE, and the filing comes as part of a court-ordered compliance report under the Flores settlement agreement.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood