Federal immigration officials obtained judicial authorization to force-feed a Cuban national held at a privately-operated detention facility in Texas, according to court records reviewed in recent weeks. The detainee, arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in July, began refusing food three days after his apprehension and has remained incarcerated at the Montgomery processing center near Houston. A federal judge granted approval for forced feeding procedures in August, and extended the authorization this week to remain in effect through mid-September.
The case is notable for including authorization for a surgical feeding tube insertion procedure, technically known as percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, in which medical personnel make an abdominal incision to place a tube that remains in place until surgically removed. This surgical intervention has not been previously documented in other force-feeding cases reviewed by media outlets. Initial force-feeding typically involves staff inserting a tube through a detainee’s nose and throat. The Department of Homeland Security stated the detainee had resumed eating and drinking, though did not clarify whether the hunger strike had ended or provide details on prior force-feeding instances.
This case represents the 19th approved force-feeding authorization since January 2025, according to reporting on ICE practices under the current administration. Legal advocates and civil rights organizations have expressed concerns about the rising number of cases, with some suggesting the frequency indicates either deteriorating conditions prompting more hunger strikes or a shift toward medical intervention rather than addressing underlying grievances. The detainee currently lacks legal representation in the proceedings, a fact legal experts have characterized as problematic given the invasive nature of the approved procedures.
The Montgomery facility is operated by the GEO Group, a private corrections company. The Department of Homeland Security characterized the detainee as having entered the country unlawfully in 1980 and stated he faces deportation based on a 2004 removal order and prior criminal convictions. Immigration officials noted that facilities provide regular meals, hygiene services, and communication access, continuing to deliver meals during hunger strikes. Representatives of the private facility operator and federal prosecutors did not respond to requests for comment.
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