Surprise Inspection at Eloy Detention Center Highlights Concerns
Yassamin Ansari, a Democrat, made an unannounced visit to the Eloy Detention Center in Pinal County, which is nearing its capacity of 1,550 detainees. This visit forms part of her duties in Congress, with ICE legally required to grant her access.
The Eloy facility, located approximately an hour south of Phoenix, has been in the spotlight after two in-custody deaths this year, contributing to a total of seven fatalities in ICE facilities since January. Ansari spent over two hours examining the conditions inside.
“So with detention centers like these set to make record profits, the least that can be done is adequate staff that’s properly trained to treat people in a humane and dignified way, is adequate water and medical treatment,” Ansari told reporters outside the facility Thursday. “Eloy is the detention center that has the highest number of reports or issues. It’s also the detention center that we know most recently with the raids in Phoenix, especially at the immigration court, that people are being sent here.”
During her visit, Ansari discovered the absence of phone numbers for DHS oversight offices within the facility. She also interviewed numerous women, collecting testimonies for the Trump administration, including allegations of mistreatment by an employee about a month prior.
According to Ansari, detainees alleged that a staff member forced them to walk outside in the heat for approximately two hours without water, reportedly stating, “this is the price of the American Dream.” She noted that one woman fainted and others had lodged complaints with facility authorities.
In response, CoreCivic, the private company managing the Eloy Detention Center, refuted the claims. Their spokesperson, Ryan Gustin, stated, “Our immigration facilities are monitored very closely by our government partners at ICE, and they are required to undergo regular review and audit processes to ensure an appropriate standard of living and care for all detainees.” He further clarified that detainees have the choice to participate in recreational activities.
Gustin emphasized the availability of a “robust grievance process” for detainees, including toll-free numbers and access to management staff, to report any issues.
ICE has yet to comment on the incident or address the concerns raised by Ansari during her inspection.
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