Federal lawmakers and activists are expressing significant concerns about the conditions at the Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) Dallas Field Office.
These concerns include overcrowded rooms, lack of proper ventilation, insufficient sleeping space, and inadequate access to water.
Democratic Congress members from North Texas, Marc Veasey, Jasmine Crockett, and Julie Johnson, collectively raised these issues in a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and acting ICE Director Todd Lyons.
The letter describes reports they have received from families of individuals detained at the facility, many of whom are asylum seekers.
‘Our offices have received multiple troubling accounts from families of individuals detained at the facility, many of whom are asylum seekers,’ the lawmakers stated.
They highlighted alarming allegations regarding the unmanageable conditions, where more than 30 people are confined to a single room during extreme heat conditions typical of Texas summers.
Additionally, one incident was noted where a detainee was not allowed access to his prescribed medication despite having it in his possession.
The Congress members urged for an immediate investigation into these allegations and requested a comprehensive report on the situation in the facility.
‘The people detained at this facility, many of whom have fled violence or persecution, deserve to be treated with basic human dignity while their cases are processed under U.S. law,’ they emphasized.
Key questions were posed to Noem and Lyons, focusing on the provision of basic necessities such as water, adequate ventilation, food, medical care, and proper sleeping arrangements.
ICE Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, Tricia McLaughlin, responded to these allegations, stating that the claims regarding a lack of beds, running water, and other fundamental essentials in the processing centers are false.
According to McLaughlin, comprehensive medical care is standard practice upon an individual’s entry into ICE custody.
This includes thorough medical, dental, and mental health screenings within specified timeframes after arrival at each detention facility.
Church leader Eric Folkerth, representing a coalition of religious leaders, attended a protest at the Dallas Field Office alongside activists calling for legislative action regarding the treatment of immigrants.
At the protest, Folkerth voiced concerns about reports of individuals being crowded into facilities insufficiently designed for long-term detainment, stating, ‘This is what we’ve heard, and we just need to know, is that true? Is it not true? What is happening?’
Activists and community organizers are increasingly concerned about the apparent lack of due process for detainees.
Nora Soto, a community organizer involved in the protests, expressed alarm about these issues, saying, ‘The general goal is to stop all of these abuses that are happening regarding the government’s actions against undocumented individuals and, in some instances, citizens or residents.’
Vecinos Unidos DFW, a local activist group, filed an official complaint with the City of Dallas about the conditions at the ICE field office last week.
However, they reported that the city closed the case, citing a lack of jurisdiction.
In their letter, Veasey, Crockett, and Johnson have given the Department of Homeland Security and ICE a deadline of 10 days to investigate and provide a complete account of the situation.
Priscilla Rice is KERA’s communities reporter, inviting readers to send tips via email.
image source from：keranews
