Detainees inside I.C.E. facility investigated by Homeland Security speak out

We bring you continuing coverage on an I.C.E. processing center that has been investigated by the Department of Homeland Security for a number of human rights violations. We first brought you this story in February.

News Channel 3’s Madison Weil returned to the detention center, called Adelanto, this time she was granted access by I.C.E. to speak with detainees inside.

There have been several developments since our original report aired, one detainee inside Adelanto has died. And many protests and rallies have been held on the outside, calling for the closure of the facility.

Adelanto is managed and owned by the GEO group — a private company running 139 facilities worldwide.

GEO receives more taxpayer dollars for immigrant detention than any other I.C.E. contractor, according to government data. They earn $112 dollars a day for each person detained inside.

“It is unfortunate that there is a corporation making a profit out of the suffering of people,” said Hilda Cruz, a human rights activist & faith organizer with Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity.

Protesters frequently gather outside the facility, demanding answers and calling for changes.

Earlier this year, a 27-year-old detainee, Jose Ibarra Bucio collapsed at Adelanto, suffering a cerebral hemorrhage the day he was scheduled to appear for an immigration status hearing. He ended up in the hospital, paralyzed and in a coma, just days after his wife gave birth to their son. He died in March.

“All I want to know is what happened to him,” said Ibarra’s wife.

Ibarra’s family says they were kept in the dark. The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) hosted a news conference in response:

“What are they hiding and why won’t they tell the truth to Jose’s family?” said Shannon Camacho, a representative from CHIRLA.

Last September, inspectors from Homeland Security found nooses hanging from detainee cells, medical neglect, and unjust segregation.

While Adelanto has released a statement to us outlining improvements and pledging a commitment to “ensure safe and humane treatment” in their facilities, detainees tell us conditions inside are still bleak.

“I think they don’t have enough requirements or space to have that many immigrants because some are here for six to eight months. That’s too much time to be detained. We’re not criminals we’re just immigrants,” Victor Obando Moran told Madison Weil. He crossed the border as a child and is currently detained inside Adelanto.

Mina Soliman, another detainee, has been inside the facility for nearly a year. He says he came to the U.S. fleeing violence in Egypt.

“I told them no, I will not go back. They asked me if I had fear…I said yes I have fear,” said Soliman.

A judge ordered his deportation. He’s now hoping a federal appeals court will reconsider his case.

When he arrived at the facility, he says he was healthy. Now, he’s in a wheelchair.

“I didn’t get the proper medical treatment…they gave me in November a cane. And still now in April 2019, I don’t know what I have exactly. I’m suffering,” said Soliman.

When we asked about his claims, I.C.E. sent a statement saying Soliman has “been assessed by facility medical personnel for multiple health issues” and that he “has an ongoing medical condition of cellulitis in his leg.”

Soliman also described an alleged incident with an officer: “The officer started shouting in my face…using vulgar words […] he pushed me.”

I.C.E. says they reviewed the incident and that “no evidence of abuse by GEO personnel was substantiated.”

Back outside, volunteers who frequently visit those inside, say one of the biggest challenges detainees face is finding legal representation. Most cannot afford it.

“I think it would be a very different landscape if we were able to get lawyers for every single person inside there,” said Cecilia Vasquez, a Ph.D. candidate & volunteer visitor with Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity.

And like Soliman, many detainees say they’re afraid to return home. But for most seeking asylum, their cases will not be approved.

Cruz says many detainees fear deportation because it could mean fearing for their lives. She says she personally knows of two cases where detainees returned to their home countries and were killed.

Despite challenges, Hilda and others continue their mission to help those inside.

“It’s just plain evil what’s happening in our country. We will continue to pray for change and we will continue to visit people and we will continue to be a voice for those inside who have no voice at this time,” said Cruz.

Cruz and other volunteers say their biggest challenge is finding legal and financial resources to help represent people inside. To donate, click here. And to get in contact with their group, you can email hcruz@im4humanintegrity.org