Russian man detained 17 months, files grievance reports on inhumane conditions at Otay Mesa
Jun 17, 2026·Location: San Diego, CA
Country of origin: Russia

A 39-year-old Russian man held at Otay Mesa Detention Center for 17 months filed multiple grievance reports documenting severe sanitary conditions, including only two working urinals and one sink for over 100 detainees, which led to an outbreak of eye infections. He also filed grievance reports on behalf of other detainees, including an older man who needed mobility support after a stroke. He was released in 2026 after exhausting oversight channels that were subsequently gutted under the Trump administration.
Sources
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