A group of seven congressional Democrats sent a letter earlier this week to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and ICE Acting Director David Venturella expressing concern about conditions at the El Valle detention facility in Raymondville, Texas. The lawmakers, led by Illinois Representative Delia Ramirez and including Texas Representatives Greg Casar and Jasmine Crockett, said they “unequivocally condemn” reported conditions at the facility, arguing they violate documented DHS and ICE detention standards.
Detained immigrants participating in a hunger strike that began on October 11 have alleged the facility suffers from substandard medical care, poor water quality, and mistreatment by guards. Some strikers reported being threatened with force-feeding and transfer to other facilities. Family members told media outlets that participants include asylum seekers from Russia, Cameroon, and other countries who have been detained for approximately one year. According to relatives and advocates, the strike began with more than two dozen participants and currently involves approximately 14 to 30 individuals. Some hunger strikers are also protesting the length of their detention and requesting case resolution or transfer closer to family members.
The congressional letter demands information about the detainee population, medical care quality, and other conditions. The lawmakers stated that people should not be detained in such facilities and called for the release of hunger strikers to their families, along with protection from further detention and deportation. They also demanded that authorities refrain from force-feeding detainees.
A DHS spokesperson responded by stating the department addresses official correspondence through official channels and suggested the representatives should be thanking law enforcement for removing individuals from their districts. ICE denied allegations of force-feeding threats or retaliation, stating that meals and beverages are provided daily during hunger strikes and that the agency is committed to detainee safety and well-being. El Valle is operated by private prison company Management and Training Corporation under contract with Willacy County Local Government Corporation.
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