The Department of Homeland Security dismissed a report about overcrowding and food shortages at immigrant detention centers, saying Monday that it was “FAKE NEWS.”
“Any claim that there is a lack of food or subprime conditions at ICE detention centers are FALSE,” DHS posted on X in response to an NBC News report about food poisoning, insufficient portions and other concerns at Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities in at least seven states.
“All detainees are provided with proper meals, medical treatment, and have opportunities to communicate with their family members and lawyers,” the department’s post continued. “Meals are certified by dieticians. Ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of individuals in our custody is a top priority at ICE.”
ICE posted a “fact check” on its site Monday “setting the record straight on NBC’s false claims.” DHS shared the post but did not provide further comment to NOTUS.
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Immigrant rights advocates and some Democratic lawmakers have attempted to raise the alarm about treatment and overcrowding at Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities. Nearly 58,000 people were in ICE detention as of the end of June, even though Congress has only funded ICE to maintain 41,500 detention beds.
There have been multiple reports of poor treatment and overcrowded facilities. Last month, the Los Angeles Times reported on unsanitary conditions in an ICE processing center in Adelanto, California.
Over the weekend, California Democratic Reps. Raul Ruiz and Norma Torres attempted to visit the Adelanto facility but were denied access.
They said they had complied with DHS’s new guidance saying lawmakers must give 72 hours’ notice before a visit.
ICE told a California ABC affiliate that the Democrats were denied entry because they were interrupting a previously scheduled tour with Rep. Jay Obernolte. The statement also said lawmakers must provide seven days’ notice for visits to detention facilities.
“Congressman Raul Ruiz and Congresswoman Norma Torres showed up to Rep. Obernolte’s approved visit; ignoring the established DHS directive regarding visiting ICE facilities,” ICE said in a statement to the ABC affiliate. “They were advised that ICE would be more than happy to accommodate their visit-provided it was scheduled in accordance with DHS policy.”
The Adelanto facility is run by GEO Group, DHS’s largest single contractor and one of the handful of private prisons poised to gain millions on the Trump administration’s immigration agenda.
In a video on social media after his visit, Obernolte said he toured multiple locations throughout the facility, and “even saw what they were having for lunch.”
“From what I saw today, we are treating these detainees as humanely as possible,” Olbernolte said in the video. “This is not a facility that’s designed for long-term housing of detainees; the goal is to process the detainees through as quickly as possible.”
This story has been updated with a response from DHS.
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