Recent, aggressive immigration raids in Los Angeles have raised alarming questions about the treatment of these detained families. News reports document that immigrants, including families with young children, are being held in squalid conditions. They suffer from crippling shortages of food and drinkable water. These alarming incidents are just the latest examples of a disturbing trend. Detention centers around the country are becoming more dangerous.
In 2019, the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas, was one of the last remaining family detention centers. The Trump administration fought to reopen this particular facility for much of its time in office. New investigative reports have documented that these same horrible conditions persist in Los Angeles today. Families are being forced to camp out in municipal administrative buildings and county courthouses for long stretches.
They reportedly bused at least one person to Mexico immediately after arrest, without allowing them any opportunity to contest their deportation. This shocking discovery underscores the need for more due process in the series of recent enforcement actions taken by immigration officials.
Deteriorating Conditions at Adelanto Detention Center
Among ICE’s detention centers, Adelanto has drawn pointed attention for deteriorating conditions. Families detained there have described being given just one bottle of water to divide among themselves for two days. Access to visitors is similarly curtailed, with no public access and only a handful of clients allowed to visit their attorneys in-person. These conditions have led to outrage among advocacy groups and attorneys who have worked to advocate for humane treatment of detainees.
A family of five, with three kids and their Mom and Dad, were allegedly locked up in an administrative building. They put up with this embarrassment for 48 hours after their arrest. Spartan conditions reports have emerged of meals served well after 10 pm and a lack of immediate access to basic needs, like blankets and clothing. Some detainees were ordered to sleep on the ground, leaving doubts about the worst-case care factor given.
“We can’t get that information because we can’t talk to everyone.” – Yliana Johansen-Méndez
These conditions are well below what should be considered acceptable for facilities that are supposed to be providing care and safety. This is a deeply alarming risk for vulnerable populations, first and foremost children.
Advocacy Groups Raise Alarm
Immigrant advocacy groups led by ImmDef have put together a list of more than 80 people detained in the course of the raids. Yet, most of these people never show up in the agency’s online records of detainees. The ensuing lack of transparency from the Administration regarding these detentions has left families devastated and advocates searching for answers.
In one of those incidents, Democratic U.S. Representatives Gilbert R. Cisneros Jr., Judy Chu and Derek Tran were prevented from entering the Adelanto facility. Sadly, they were prevented from utilizing it. Their work highlights a rising awareness and concern from legislators around the country about the unacceptable treatment of people in custody.
“How do they decide who they’re going to ask for their papers and arrest, other than racially profiling?” – Yliana Johansen-Méndez
Paloma Yliana Johansen-Méndez has previously raised alarms about racial profiling during these immigration enforcement operations. The ramifications of these practices are serious, especially when people’s lives, more so those of our most vulnerable populations, are at stake.
Health Risks and Legal Challenges
Testimony from former detainees expose shocking stories of health hazards due to lack of medical treatment. One woman described how an older man’s health deteriorated when he was refused his medication for three days. This tragic event should lead to serious scrutiny over the duty of care being provided to all who are incarcerated inside these private facilities.
The punitive treatment of these mostly minor children has raised the anger of advocates. At some schools, reports indicate that all kids got was one bag of chips, a box of animal crackers and one little milk. This scant provision was all the ration they had, both morning and evening. Such scant provisions are a disingenuous effort to address the nutritional needs of toddlers.
“Because it was primarily men held in these facilities, they didn’t have separate quarters for families or for women.” – Yliana Johansen-Méndez
Lack of adequate facilities affects far beyond access to food and water. Combined, they jeopardize the health and safety of families coming to the United States in search of refuge or opportunity.