Trump's immigration crackdown intensifies concerns over dire conditions in detention facilities
Overcrowded immigration detention facilities across the United States are facing extreme pressure as the Trump administration escalates arrests and workplace raids. As of June 15, over 56,000 immigrants were in custody, far beyond the current federal capacity of 41,000 beds.
As per The New York Times report, the Department of Homeland Security has denied reports of overcrowding or mistreatment. However, multiple detainees, lawyers, and lawmakers have described unsanitary and unsafe conditions in facilities nationwide. In some locations, detainees are held for days in temporary processing spaces meant for just hours, often without access to showers, clean clothes, medical care, or legal communication.
“These are the worst conditions I have seen in my 20-year career,” said Paul Chavez, litigation and advocacy director at Americans for Immigrant Justice in Florida.
Since January 1, at least 10 people have died in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, including two suicides. Detainees in Miami’s Krome detention center recently formed a human “SOS” sign, signaling distress over deteriorating conditions.
This surge in detentions follows a policy shift led by White House aide Stephen Miller, who set a daily target of 3,000 immigration arrests. To accommodate the influx, the administration expanded contracts with private prison operators and requested $45 billion in funding for detention operations—ten times the current budget.
Detainees held for extended periods often lack access to basic hygiene. Marcelo Gomes, 18, was detained for six days in a crowded ICE facility in Massachusetts. “It was so bad,” he said, “I used water to drink it down.” He reported no access to showers, poor food, and no privacy.
In Tacoma, Washington, at the Northwest Detention Center, legal groups report worsening conditions under the GEO Group, a private operator. Lawyer Alejandra Gonza said detainees received meals late at night, missed outdoor time, and lacked access to family-sent funds. Some were placed in solitary confinement after raising complaints.
In Anchorage, Alaska, detainees transferred from Tacoma have faced similar hardships in state-run facilities. Cindy Woods of the ACLU of Alaska told the state Legislature, “Many of them are struggling with the punitive setting and the isolation from family.”
Lawmakers have also flagged serious problems. Senator Martin Heinrich of New Mexico said detainees lacked clean drinking water and functioning toilets. In California, Representative Judy Chu said she witnessed “filthy, inhumane conditions” at a detention center in Adelanto.
ICE continues to deny the allegations. Tricia McLaughlin, spokesperson for DHS, said, “All detainees are provided with proper meals, medical treatment, and have opportunities to communicate with their family members and lawyers.” She added that delays in deportations were caused by court injunctions.
Christopher Ferreira of the GEO Group stated, “Our facilities are never overcrowded,” and claimed services are delivered in line with federal standards.
However, lawyers and detainees offer a different picture. In Los Angeles, people were kept for days in a facility meant for 12-hour stays. “It’s a horror show,” said Mark Rosenbaum of Public Counsel. One detainee described being locked in a room with one functioning toilet for 60 men.
In New York, a man arrested at an ICE check-in was moved between facilities in multiple states, making it difficult for his lawyer and family to locate him. Another detainee described being served rotten food and seeing worms in a sink used for drinking water.
At some locations, detainees are allegedly offered financial incentives to leave the country. “You want to leave? We’ll pay you because we need your bed,” said lawyer Nera Shefer, quoting ICE officials.
As immigration enforcement actions intensify, the US detention system continues to face scrutiny over overcrowding, lack of healthcare, and pressure on detainees to accept voluntary deportation without due process.
As per The New York Times report, the Department of Homeland Security has denied reports of overcrowding or mistreatment. However, multiple detainees, lawyers, and lawmakers have described unsanitary and unsafe conditions in facilities nationwide. In some locations, detainees are held for days in temporary processing spaces meant for just hours, often without access to showers, clean clothes, medical care, or legal communication.
“These are the worst conditions I have seen in my 20-year career,” said Paul Chavez, litigation and advocacy director at Americans for Immigrant Justice in Florida.
Since January 1, at least 10 people have died in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, including two suicides. Detainees in Miami’s Krome detention center recently formed a human “SOS” sign, signaling distress over deteriorating conditions.
This surge in detentions follows a policy shift led by White House aide Stephen Miller, who set a daily target of 3,000 immigration arrests. To accommodate the influx, the administration expanded contracts with private prison operators and requested $45 billion in funding for detention operations—ten times the current budget.
Detainees held for extended periods often lack access to basic hygiene. Marcelo Gomes, 18, was detained for six days in a crowded ICE facility in Massachusetts. “It was so bad,” he said, “I used water to drink it down.” He reported no access to showers, poor food, and no privacy.
In Tacoma, Washington, at the Northwest Detention Center, legal groups report worsening conditions under the GEO Group, a private operator. Lawyer Alejandra Gonza said detainees received meals late at night, missed outdoor time, and lacked access to family-sent funds. Some were placed in solitary confinement after raising complaints.
In Anchorage, Alaska, detainees transferred from Tacoma have faced similar hardships in state-run facilities. Cindy Woods of the ACLU of Alaska told the state Legislature, “Many of them are struggling with the punitive setting and the isolation from family.”
Lawmakers have also flagged serious problems. Senator Martin Heinrich of New Mexico said detainees lacked clean drinking water and functioning toilets. In California, Representative Judy Chu said she witnessed “filthy, inhumane conditions” at a detention center in Adelanto.
ICE continues to deny the allegations. Tricia McLaughlin, spokesperson for DHS, said, “All detainees are provided with proper meals, medical treatment, and have opportunities to communicate with their family members and lawyers.” She added that delays in deportations were caused by court injunctions.
Christopher Ferreira of the GEO Group stated, “Our facilities are never overcrowded,” and claimed services are delivered in line with federal standards.
However, lawyers and detainees offer a different picture. In Los Angeles, people were kept for days in a facility meant for 12-hour stays. “It’s a horror show,” said Mark Rosenbaum of Public Counsel. One detainee described being locked in a room with one functioning toilet for 60 men.
In New York, a man arrested at an ICE check-in was moved between facilities in multiple states, making it difficult for his lawyer and family to locate him. Another detainee described being served rotten food and seeing worms in a sink used for drinking water.
At some locations, detainees are allegedly offered financial incentives to leave the country. “You want to leave? We’ll pay you because we need your bed,” said lawyer Nera Shefer, quoting ICE officials.
As immigration enforcement actions intensify, the US detention system continues to face scrutiny over overcrowding, lack of healthcare, and pressure on detainees to accept voluntary deportation without due process.
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