Seven House Democrats are pressing U.S. immigration officials over a hunger strike at a Texas detention center, seeking details on detainees’ care and protection from further detention and deportation.
Rep. Delia Ramirez, an Illinois Democrat, led a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director David Venturella, The Guardian reported Oct. 30. The lawmakers requested information about the detainee population and medical services at El Valle. They also urged officials to release the hunger strikers to their families, shield them from further detention and deportation, and avoid force-feeding them.
The Guardian reported that detainees began the strike Oct. 11. Relatives and advocates told the newspaper that more than two dozen immigrants from Russia, Cameroon and other countries initially joined. They estimated that four women and between 10 and 20 men were still striking.
Detainees described the water as undrinkable and medical care as inadequate, and said guards had mistreated them, according to The Guardian. Some participants also want faster decisions on their immigration cases or transfers closer to relatives.
ICE told The Guardian that no detainees were being force-fed or had been threatened with force-feeding. The agency said hunger strikers continue to receive meals and drinking water or other drinks. A DHS spokesperson said the department handles congressional letters through official channels and criticized the lawmakers, arguing they should appreciate law enforcement for removing people DHS described as “dangerous criminals.” The Guardian said DHS provided no proof of criminal histories for the striking detainees whose relatives spoke with the newspaper.
El Valle is in Raymondville, Texas. The Willacy County Local Government Corporation owns the facility, and Management and Training Corporation operates it, The Guardian reported. The company referred questions to ICE, while the county corporation did not respond to the newspaper.
