Several Democratic members of Congress, including Reps. Brad Sherman, Judy Chu, and Jimmy Gomez, have expressed serious concerns regarding conditions at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing center known as B-18 in downtown Los Angeles.
For two months, they were unable to access the facility due to previous cancellations by ICE, leading them to file a federal lawsuit to ensure their oversight rights were respected.
On Monday, they finally gained entry to B-18, but left with more questions than answers about the situation within the center.
Rep. Gomez criticized the government for what he characterized as an effort to sanitize the facility for their visit.
“It was nothing, it was like no one was there. It was deliberate so members of Congress cannot conduct oversight,” he stated.
Since early June, ICE agents have reportedly detained scores of migrants from various locations, including Home Depot parking lots and car washes, transporting them to B-18.
Many of these detainees have raised concerns about overcrowding and lengthy detentions, with reports of people being held for multiple days.
Though the facility is designed to house up to 335 migrants, members of Congress noted only two individuals were present at the time of their visit.
Rep. Chu highlighted the stark conditions inside the center, which has nine holding rooms with only two toilets each and no beds.
She expressed alarm that while ICE regulations suggest detainees should be held for a maximum of 72 hours, she has heard of individuals remaining for as long as 12 days.
“Some detainees are receiving just one meal a day,” she said, describing the facility’s food pantry as “scanty.”
Additionally, she conveyed that detainees lack basic hygiene items such as soap and toothbrushes, prompting her deep concern for their wellbeing.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) did not respond immediately to requests for comment regarding the allegations raised by the Congress members.
Sergio Perez, executive director of the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law, labeled it alarming that it took so long for congressional members to access the site.
He previously visited Narciso Barranco, a Mexican national detained at B-18 who alleged mistreatment during his arrest and subsequent detention.
Barranco described overcrowding conditions, stating that rooms intended for fewer people held 30 to 70 individuals, forcing some to sleep standing up.
Under these harsh conditions, detainees reported lacking access to showers and adequate food.
Rep. Sherman shared observations from his visit, including one detainee resting his head on a table, indicating distress among those held at the facility.
During the tour, Sherman took a photo of the setting, which he acknowledged was unauthorized, while also attempting to communicate with individuals brought into the center.
When he called out to inquire about their citizenship status, however, none responded.
The four congressional members criticized the sweeping immigration enforcement strategies, especially the use of masked agents conducting operations in public spaces.
A federal judge had recently enacted a temporary injunction against mass sweeps in Los Angeles and surrounding counties unless there is reasonable suspicion regarding the individuals’ immigration status.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California has sued the federal government over these enforcement actions, describing the conditions at B-18 as “dungeon-like.”
The ACLU claims detainees are subjected to substandard conditions and are waiting for adequate attention to basic needs like food, water, and hygiene facilities.
The organization stated that some detainees feel pressured into accepting voluntary departure due to their circumstances.
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin has since rejected claims describing poor conditions at ICE detention centers as “false” and asserted that their detention standards surpass those of many U.S. prisons.
During the visit, Rep. Chu questioned ICE representatives about the presence of masked individuals entering the facility without identification, to which they responded that they operate under probable cause or specific warrants.
Rep. Gomez, who has faced barriers to entering B-18 throughout this crackdown, is involved in the lawsuit against the federal government regarding access to the center.
The congressional lawsuit cites repeated denials for entry attempts, both in person and with advance notice to officials at the Department of Homeland Security.
ICE has since adjusted its oversight visit policies, now requiring lawmakers to provide a minimum of 72 hours’ notice and staff 24 hours’ notice prior to their visits.
As calls for transparency continue, the visit to B-18 has ignited further scrutiny of ICE’s practices and the treatment of those detained under current immigration enforcement policies.
image source from：latimes
