An Albanian man in a New Mexico immigration detention center experienced such severe pain that he resorted to pulling out his own tooth. Meanwhile, a Honduran mother of two in Florida was hospitalized for a heart condition after being denied blood pressure medication. In Vermont, a Venezuelan man’s leg turned purple and swollen from flesh-eating bacteria when staff failed to take him to a scheduled doctor’s appointment.
An investigation by KFF Health News and The Associated Press found widespread allegations of inadequate medical care in U.S. immigration detention facilities. Over half of the 33 states with reported cases face lawsuits alleging that detainees did not receive timely medications for conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and epilepsy. Delayed care has resulted in unmanaged diabetes, untreated infections, and, in some cases, severe health consequences like seizures.
These facilities have struggled historically to meet detainees’ medical needs. The situation has worsened with an increased number of detentions under President Donald Trump’s administration. As of mid-January, more than 75,000 immigrants were detained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), up from about 40,000 a year prior.
Investigating Medical Neglect
Using court records and interviews with over 50 detainees, family members, and lawyers, the investigation uncovered systemic medical neglect in various detention sites, including unofficial locations. Research published in JAMA in April showed ICE custody is currently more deadly than it has been in two decades. At least 51 deaths have occurred in detention, with a notable rise in suicides.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) did not respond to requests from KFF Health News and AP to comment on these findings. However, it has previously asserted that detainees receive appropriate and timely medical care. Some facilities and prison companies contradict allegations, claiming to adhere to ICE standards and provide necessary medical attention.
Personal Accounts of Neglect
Vardan Gukasian, a political dissident detained for 13 months, detailed his health struggles and the absence of adequate care in a court declaration. His experience underscores the alleged indifference detainees face. Another detainee recounted suffering injuries while shackled during transit to a Georgia facility, leading to severe infection due to unsanitary conditions.
Many detainees fear speaking out might endanger their safety or impact their immigration cases, choosing to remain anonymous. Court records revealed delayed response to medical emergencies, resulting in hospitalizations or near-critical outcomes.
Legal and Institutional Challenges
Despite filing over 40,000 habeas corpus petitions challenging imprisonment, especially over medical neglect, most claims remain unaddressed. Many judges have dismissed petitions for incorrect handling under habeas corpus rules or unrelated detention issues.
Some nations are deporting detainees, complicating their access to necessary medical care. For instance, a detainee’s wife noted her husband’s inability to see his cancer specialist at Folkston and ICE Processing Center in Georgia, resulting in limited pain management.
As government funds dwindle, key programs like the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman, capable of addressing medical neglect, are shut down. Families and legal representatives face challenges advocating for basic healthcare for detained loved ones, noted by advocates such as Matt Boles and attorney Andrew Pelcher.
The detainee experiences shared in this investigation reveal a critical need for improved oversight and resource allocation to safeguard health outcomes in immigration detention settings.