Class Action Lawsuit Alleges Inhumane Conditions and Medical Negligence at ICE Detention Center

In a significant legal move, seven migrants held at the California City Detention Facility in Kern County have filed a class action lawsuit against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). They claim they are subjected to "inhumane" conditions, medical negligence, and life-threatening environments while in custody.

This information was corroborated by FOX 66, which conducted an interview with one of the plaintiffs and examined the legal complaint filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

Among those speaking out is detainee Sokhean Keo, who has been confined at the center for approximately three months. He described conditions as not only filthy and extremely cold but also emotionally damaging.

"It's a nightmare. The cold is unbearable, and the floors are filthy. Our mental health is in serious decline," Keo expressed.

Keo also recounted witnessing suicide attempts, a troubling consequence of the mental deterioration observed among detainees.

Prolonged Medical Delays: A Crisis Unfolding

The lawsuit highlights alarming issues, noting on page 14 that ICE has deliberately delayed critical medical assessments for detainees, including those suspected of having cancer, whose lab results increasingly indicate severe abnormalities.

Further, page 22 of the document details that individuals with chronic conditions are being denied essential medications:

"Detainees with diabetes, hypertension, and heart conditions are systematically deprived of their prescribed medications for days or even weeks."

Kyle Virgien, an attorney with the ACLU National Prison Project, informed FOX 66 that they have documented cases where individuals potentially suffering from cancer have languished on specialist waitlists for months, alongside detainees lacking proper treatment for diabetes and heart conditions.

Denials and Fear of Retaliation

The Department of Homeland Security has denied these claims, asserting that some detainees "receive the best medical care of their lives" within the facility. However, the legal document emphasizes that many detainees are too afraid to report abuses. As stated on page 31:

"Retaliation against those who file complaints is widespread, fostering an atmosphere of fear."

Allegations against the U.S. immigration detention system are not new. This lawsuit joins a series of legal controversies across the nation. Earlier this year, over 20 religious groups sued the Trump administration, arguing that ICE arrests in churches infringed on religious freedom and instilled fear among worshippers.

In August, civil organizations filed a lawsuit against the state of Florida over the "Alligator Alcatraz" detention center, citing inhumane conditions, unlawful detentions, and worm-infested food.

The Impact on Cuban Migrants

These accusations emerge at a particularly sensitive time for the Cuban community in the U.S., where thousands have experienced detainment in ICE facilities while awaiting asylum hearings or decisions. For those with chronic illnesses, emotional distress, or previous traumas, the conditions described in the lawsuit pose a substantial risk.

The ACLU hopes the case will be certified as a class action, which would allow it to represent all individuals held at the facility. A ruling in favor of the plaintiffs could establish a national precedent regarding ICE's obligations for humane treatment and adequate medical care.