Immigrant rights organizations accused Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of retaliating against detained immigrants who participated in a hunger strike to denounce conditions at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center in California.

According to information published by the Los Angeles Times, lawyers from the Immigrant Defenders Law Center claim that several detainees faced disciplinary measures after joining the protests, including transfers to other centers, isolation and threats.

One of the cases that has generated the greatest concern is that of Kyron Shakeel Swaso, a citizen of Belize who, according to his legal representatives, helped organize some of the hunger strikes and held meetings with members of Congress to denounce the conditions inside the detention center.

They denounce transfer and possible judicial violation

Lawyers maintain that Swaso was transferred out of California and subsequently placed in expedited deportation proceedings, an action they say could contravene a court order requiring advance notice to detainees or their legal representatives before being moved out of the jurisdiction.

“Mr. Swaso's sudden transfer raises serious questions,” said Melissa Shepard, director of legal services at the Immigrant Defenders Law Center.

The lawyer assured that immigrants have the right to publicly express their concerns about detention conditions without fear of retaliation.

For its part, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rejected the accusations and assured that Swaso has a final deportation order due to his criminal record. The authorities also denied that there is an active hunger strike at the facilities.

Complaints about food and medical care

The protest began on May 19, when detainees reported problems related to food quality, medical care and general conditions inside the center run by Geo Group, one of the largest private immigration detention companies in the United States.

Days later, Democratic legislators, including Jimmy Gómez, Judy Chu and Pete Aguilar, visited the facilities and held meetings with some detainees.

Gómez stated that he received a petition signed by more than a hundred people who denounced restrictions on telephone calls, visits and alleged threats of isolation against those participating in the protest.

“I think some of them were on hunger strike,” the congressman declared. “At the same time, many could be putting their lives at risk if they prolong the strike for too long.”

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