In custody
Extreme heat or cold
Held in a freezing or dangerously hot space (hieleras, no heat, no air conditioning in summer).
Documented in 21 states. Every well-documented story coded this way, grouped by state. See what accompanies it →
Arizona
- Arizona-raised woman deported after ICE raid on Colt Grill restaurantA 23-year-old woman raised in Cottonwood, Arizona since infancy and a high school graduate was arrested when ICE raided the restaurant where she worked, then deported to Mexico, separated from her three citizen brothers.Cottonwood, AZ · Jul 15, 2025 · USA Today, The Arizona Republic, Copper Courier +2
Detainees at Arizona's Eloy Detention Center report forced walks until faintingRep. Yassamin Ansari visited Eloy Detention Center and heard from over 20 detainees who reported being forced to walk outside until fainting, manipulated air conditioning, and illness. She has asked DHS for answers.Eloy, AZ · May 29, 2025 · KJZZ, U.S. House of Representatives, KOLD
California
Mariana: Mexican woman arrested by ICE at immigration office, held in freezing facilityMariana, a Mexican woman, was arrested at a Fresno immigration office she believed was for a legalization appointment and spent a month at California City Detention Center enduring freezing cells and inadequate medical care.Fresno, CA · Jul 30, 2026 · El País
DJ held nearly four months at Otay Mesa, alleges forced pregnancy testA Mexican woman known in Stockton's music scene as DJ Reina Azteca was held nearly four months at Otay Mesa, where she says she was forced to take a pregnancy test and held in a cold cell.San Diego, CA · Jul 28, 2026 · LA Taco, Daily Cast News
Marvin G.C.: Peruvian janitor with work authorization beaten by ICE agents in SunnysideMarvin Godoy Calderon, 45, a Peruvian janitor and dishwasher supporting four children, was beaten by ICE agents outside his Sunnyside home before a judge ordered his release after 13 hours in custody.San Francisco, CA · Jun 4, 2026 · Mission Local, CourtListener, San Francisco Standard
Asylum-seeking mother of three arrested at ICE check-in in Santa RosaA Mexican asylum-seeker who fled cartel violence in 2019 was arrested at a routine check-in, separating her from her three children, and held in a freezing cell. Attorneys won her release within hours through an emergency court filing.Santa Rosa, CA · May 1, 2026 · San Francisco Chronicle, PACER Monitor
Three deaths, contaminated water and poor care documented at Adelanto ICE facilityRoughly 1,800 people held at California's Adelanto detention center face contaminated water, spoiled food, and inadequate medical care, with three deaths reported since September 2025.Adelanto, California · Mar 19, 2026 · Press Telegram, San Bernardino Sun, KVCR News +4- Otay Mesa detainees throw notes over fence alleging poor food, medical neglectDetainees at Otay Mesa threw handwritten notes over the fence describing 280 days without fresh fruit, cold cells, and poor medical care. A congressman and county supervisors were denied entry to inspect the facility.San Diego, CA · Feb 16, 2026 · International Business Times, NBC San Diego, LA Taco +2
Yebio K.: Intellectually disabled man with heart failure denied care at California ICE jailYebio Kifle, 48, intellectually disabled with congestive heart failure, suffered severe medical neglect at a California detention facility. A judge has now ordered ICE to provide adequate healthcare there.California City, CA · Feb 11, 2026 · The Guardian, KQED, Los Angeles Times +2
Viktoriia B.: Ukrainian wife of man with cancer detained five days by ICEViktoriia Bulavina, a Ukrainian woman married to a U.S. citizen with cancer, was handcuffed after her green card interview and held five days. She was released after media attention but now faces removal.San Diego, CA · Dec 11, 2025 · NBC News, San Diego Union-Tribune, KPBS +8- Diana S.L.: DJ seeking asylum held unclothed in cold cell after ICE check-inDiana Sanchez Ledezma, a Stockton DJ known as DJ Reina Azteca, was detained at a routine check-in in December 2025. After months in custody marked by medical fear, a judge freed her in April.San Diego, CA · Dec 2025 · Daylight San Diego, Daily Cast News
Asylum-seekers detained in San Diego courthouse basement for days without proper careAsylum-seekers who came to a San Diego courthouse for routine check-ins were held in crowded basement cells for up to four days with thin mats, no privacy and constant lights.San Diego, CA · Oct 9, 2025 · Times of San Diego, NBC San Diego, 10News +1
Carmen P.S.: Asylum seeker held without a bed at San Francisco ICE officeAsylum-seeker Carmen Aracely Pablo Sequen was held in a cold San Francisco ICE facility with no beds, prompting a judge to order immediate beds, medical care, and hygiene supplies for detainees.San Francisco, CA · Sep 18, 2025 · Mission Local, ACLU, ACLU of Northern California +2- Ligia G.: Colombian asylum-seeker held by ICE in SF, forced to sleep on floorColombian asylum-seeker Ligia Garcia was detained after an immigration court hearing in San Francisco and held in a cold cell with no bed and restricted access to her lawyer, prompting an ACLU class-action lawsuit.San Francisco, CA · Sep 18, 2025 · Mission Local, ACLU, Sacramento Bee +1
- Martin H.T.: Asylum-seeker with cancer held in cold, bedless cells at SF ICE officeMartin Hernandez-Torres, who has lived in the U.S. for 30 years and has cancer, was held up to six days at a San Francisco ICE office without a bed.San Francisco, CA · Sep 18, 2025 · Mission Local, ACLU, Sacramento Bee +1
Mario: Carwash worker held two months by ICE, still unable to workMario, a father of three who worked 33 years after immigrating from Mexico, was detained in an August carwash raid and held two months, including six nights on a cell floor; he remains unable to work and traumatized.Santa Ana, CA · Aug 19, 2025 · The Guardian, LA Public Press, Times of San Diego +2
Rami O.: Doctor's husband with brain tumor held 13 days at L.A. ICE facilityRami Othmane, 36, married to a hospital chief medical officer, was held 13 days in a downtown L.A. ICE facility despite a brain tumor, then transferred to Arizona before release on bail.Los Angeles, CA · Jul 13, 2025 · Los Angeles Times, Associated Press, Billboard +2
Jasmine M.: Canadian actress held 12 days in freezing ICE cellsJasmine Mooney, a Canadian actress and beverage entrepreneur, was detained by U.S. border officials while applying for a work visa and held for 12 days in freezing cells before being transferred across three facilities.San Ysidro, CA · Apr 2, 2025 · NPR, New York Times, CBC- Engels M.C.: Nicaraguan asylum seeker detained at routine ICE check-in, injured by handcuffsA Nicaraguan asylum seeker who fled police beatings during protests was detained at a routine ICE check-in despite years of compliance, then freed on bond. A judge barred his re-detention without a hearing.San Bernardino, CA · Apr 1, 2025 · CourtListener
Colorado
Florida
Marlon C.: 51-year-old Cuban man detained at ICE check-in, held 8 monthsMarlon Cervelo, 51, was reunited with his wife in Houston after a judge ordered his release following eight months in detention, including time at facilities with reported high temperatures and water issues.Miami, FL · Sep 18, 2026 · CBS News, CiberCuba, Cuba Headlines +1
Luis Alejandro O.G. and Luis O.L.: Venezuelan scholarship student and father detained by ICE during Florida traffic stopLuis Alejandro Olarte Gosling, 19, a scholarship student, and his father were detained during a Florida traffic stop while driving him back to school. Both remain held, reporting extreme heat and little food.St. Augustine, FL · Sep 6, 2026 · The News-Gazette, Clearinghouse, WSLS
Immigrants held by ICE in Miami endure extreme heat, cockroaches, medical neglectFive immigrants held at Miami's downtown federal detention center described scorching, cockroach-infested cells, overflowing toilets and denied medical care, with some facing solitary confinement for speaking to reporters.Miami, FL · Jul 18, 2026 · Miami Herald, Tampa Free Press
About 800 transferred from Everglades ICE facility, families struggle to locate themAbout 800 detainees were transferred out of the Everglades facility known as "Alligator Alcatraz," with families and lawyers unable to locate many of them after officials cited hurricane concerns.Florida Everglades, FL · Jun 18, 2026 · Associated Press, ABC News, News Tribune +5
José G.: Palm Beach restaurant manager held 12 days by ICEJosé Gonzalez, a 53-year-old maitre d' who spent 20 years at a Palm Beach restaurant, was held in cramped, cold conditions at Alligator Alcatraz despite having a valid work permit.Palm Beach, FL · Dec 23, 2025 · CW34, CBS12, Palm Beach Post +10
Detainees report fecal flooding and maggots in food at Florida's Alligator AlcatrazDetainees at Florida's Alligator Alcatraz reported non-functioning toilets, contaminated food, and denied medical care; one was hospitalized by ambulance on July 7. Over 250 held there have no criminal convictions or charges.Everglades, FL · Aug 7, 2025 · Washington Post, CBS News, Associated Press +2
Detainees kept in cages in extreme heat at Everglades facility, lawmakers reportNearly 1,000 detainees are held at a newly built Everglades facility, with lawmakers reporting cages, extreme heat and poor sanitation, while officials called conditions clean and functional.Ochopee, FL · Jul 13, 2025 · Associated Press, WLRN, U.S. House of Representatives - Soto Office +4
Krome detainees sleep on floors, buses, near toilets amid worst US overcrowdingDetainees at Krome North slept on floor mattresses, buses and near toilets as the facility held nearly three times its capacity, with over half having no criminal record as of June 2025.Miami, FL · March 2025 · Associated Press, Human Rights Watch, WPTV +3
Harpinder C.: British entrepreneur on valid visa hospitalized after ICE denied him insulinHarpinder Singh Chauhan, a 56-year-old British entrepreneur and father of two on a valid visa, had his insulin and inhaler confiscated in detention and collapsed in April with cardiac symptoms before being deported to the UK in June.Florida, FL · Feb 11, 2025 · Human Rights Watch, Economic Times, HuffPost
Georgia
- Chong V.: Hmong man in U.S. since infancy detained at ICE appointment in AtlantaChong Leng Vue, 45, who arrived as a stateless infant from a Thai refugee camp, was detained at a routine immigration appointment and is the sole provider for his family of seven.Atlanta, GA · Oct 16, 2025 · Newsweek, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Detroit Free Press +1
South Korean Hyundai workers shackled and held in cold cells in GeorgiaOver 300 South Korean workers detained in a September 2025 Georgia battery plant raid have filed federal claims, alleging they were shackled, denied interpreters, and held in cold, overcrowded cells. One worker said he lost nearly 10 pounds in custody.Ellabell, GA · Sep 4, 2025 · CNN, Latin Times, Pressure of Truth +2
Illinois
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
Adam A.: St. Paul asylum seeker held at Guantánamo, allegedly beaten, deported to SomaliaAdam Mohamed Abdullah, a Somali auto mechanic from St. Paul, was held at Guantánamo Bay and says he was beaten there; his mother died while he was denied a call to her before his deportation.““From Miami they say OK we go to Somalia, but first we go to Cuba for refueling then we go to some other countries to Somalia,”” — Adam AbdullahSt. Paul, MN · Sep 25, 2026 · Documented, MPR News, Truthout +4
ChongLy T.: Hmong American U.S. citizen dragged from home in underwear by ICE agentsChongLy 'Scott' Thao, a 56-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen with psoriasis, was pulled from his St. Paul home in his underwear by masked agents as his 4-year-old grandson watched, then released.Saint Paul, MN · Jul 16, 2026 · USA Today, USA Today, El País +23Georgia S.: Legal observer tackled by ICE agents suffers temporary nerve damage in MinnesotaGeorgia Savageford, a legal observer monitoring ICE activity in Minneapolis, was tackled and dragged by agents, suffering nerve damage, then held 12 hours without charges before release.Minneapolis, MN · Jan 24, 2026 · Associated Press
Mississippi
New Jersey
Hundreds hunger strike over worm-infested food at Newark ICE facilityHundreds of detainees at Newark's Delaney Hall began a hunger strike in May 2026 over spoiled, worm-infested food and $1-a-day labor; guards used pepper spray on protesters outside.Newark, NJ · Jun 11, 2026 · ACLU, Patch, Theresa's Sweetheart +12
Dozens arrested, senator pepper sprayed at Newark detention hunger strike protestHundreds protested outside Newark's Delaney Hall detention center starting May 25, 2026, supporting detainees' hunger strike over moldy food and overcrowding; Senator Andy Kim was pepper sprayed and at least 80 people were arrested.Newark, NJ · Jun 8, 2026 · Reuters, CBS News, The Independent +17
Andy K.: Senator pepper-sprayed by ICE agents, treated by medics outside Newark detention facilitySen. Andy Kim was pepper-sprayed and struck in the hand while trying to defuse a clash outside Newark's Delaney Hall, where detainees were on a hunger strike over food and medical care.Newark, NJ · May 25, 2026 · The Guardian, NJ.com, The Daily Beast +2
Ten women describe freezing conditions and humiliation after transfer to Michigan detentionTen women arrested in a New Jersey warehouse raid were transferred through facilities in Texas, Ohio and Michigan, describing little food, forced undressing, verbal abuse, and no heat in freezing winter cold.Woodbridge, NJ · Oct 29, 2025 · El País
New Mexico
New York
Detainees kept on floors without beds or lawyers at NYC ICE facilityDetainees including Sergio Alberto Barco Mercado described sleeping on floors without beds and going without hygiene products at a Manhattan ICE facility. A judge ordered conditions fixed after finding prior orders willfully violated.New York, NY · Sep 24, 2026 · CBS News, ABC News, Bloomberg Law News +1
20-year-old Ecuadorian woman held nine days by ICE sleeping on floorA 20-year-old Ecuadorian woman was detained for nine days at 26 Federal Plaza without a bed, sleeping on the floor with dozens of others, before being released by a federal judge's order.“I was just a body that they crammed into a room, almost as if to be forgotten,” — Nuvia MartinezManhattan, NY · Jun 2025 · Washington Post, Leagle, Trump Whack +2
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Texas
Daniel P.: Asylum seeker held at 11 for three months in overcrowded holding areasDaniel Palencia was detained for three months in overcrowded, cold holding cells at age 11 after crossing the border in 2016. He now lives in Southold and has worked in masonry for two years.“There are bad people out there. But you can’t arrest everybody for the way they look or if they speak Spanish. You can’t arrest hard-working people who are trying to support their families.” — Daniel PalenciaEl Paso, TX · Aug 8, 2026 · Shelter Island Reporter, Suffolk Times
Curtis W.: Father denied medication during nine months in ICE detention, deported to CanadaCurtis Wright, a 40-year-old Houston oil worker born in Edmonton, spent nine months in Texas detention over a teenage drug charge before being deported to Canada, missing his toddler daughter's first steps.Pearsall, TX · Aug 2026 · CTV News, CHEK News, Culture Alberta +9
Houston worker detained 40 days after suspected racial-profiling traffic stop by ICEMarco Antonio Osorio, 50, who has installed fiber optic cables in Houston since 1993 and supports an autistic son, was held 40 days after a suspected racial-profiling traffic stop despite showing proof of his pending residency case.Austin, TX · Jun 10, 2026 · The Guardian
42 immigrants found sealed in 92.5-degree trailer at Border Patrol checkpointA truck driver from Beaver, Oklahoma, was arrested at a Texas checkpoint after 42 people were found sealed inside his trailer, which had reached 92.5 degrees. He also faces drug charges.Sarita, TX · May 16, 2026 · FOX 26 Houston, KRIS TV, KSCB News +2
Seven immigrants, including 14-year-old, die from heat in sealed boxcar in TexasSeven people from Mexico and Honduras, ages 14 to 56, died of heat stroke while smuggled in a sealed Texas boxcar reaching up to 105 degrees.Laredo, TX · May 14, 2026 · CBS News, NBC News, Global News
Tania W. and Ayla L.: Canadian mother and autistic daughter held three weeks after Border Patrol stopTania Warner, a 47-year-old Canadian with a valid U.S. work visa, and her autistic 7-year-old daughter were held three weeks at a Texas checkpoint, reporting abuse and chemical burns, before Warner's release on $9,500 bond.“All she kept asking me was, ’Why can’t we go home?’ And I said, well, based on the fact that we’re Canadian, this is what the government has decided that they are going to do with people like us that are living in the United States. So, we have to stay here until Papa and our lawyer can get us out. That’s all I could tell her. I had no idea what else to say.” — Tania WarnerSarita, TX · Apr 12, 2026 · The Link, The Globe and Mail, CBC +6
Juana F.M.: Pregnant woman deported at 8 months, concealed from congressional inspectionJuana Felipe Mateo, a Guatemalan mother of two, was deported eight months pregnant after three months in detention at Dilley. She says she was hidden from a congressional inspection and held in a cold cell with her sick toddler.Dilley, TX · Feb 23, 2026 · Univision
Russian asylum-seeking family held four months, daughter partially loses hearingA Russian family of five, fleeing persecution over the father's opposition to Putin, was freed after more than four months at Dilley detention, where their daughter suffered hearing loss from untreated ear infections.Dilley, TX · Feb 19, 2026 · NBC News, News 4 San Antonio, Aggregate T
Erik P.I.: Tire shop owner detained 27 days by ICE in TexasErik Payán Ibarra, a grandfather and tire shop owner, was arrested at his Colony Ridge business and held nearly a month, falling ill before being released on $5,000 bond.Cleveland, TX · Feb 25, 2025 · FOX 26 Houston, Houston Public Media, RFI
Washington
Location not tied to one state
Paola F.S.: 21-year-old Brazilian woman deported to Liberia after 15 months in ICE detentionA 21-year-old Brazilian woman who cleaned construction sites in Massachusetts spent 15 months moved through five detention facilities before being flown, restrained, to Liberia without being told her destination.“I told him: if you don't tell me where you're sending me, I won't get off the bus. And he said: if you don't get off by your own will, we'll have to use force,” — Paola SantosMA · Sep 15, 2026 · Liv Dose, CBS News, Streamline Feed +1
U.S. citizen veteran held by ICE in suicide watch cellA military veteran and U.S. citizen was held on suicide watch in a cell with only a hospital gown and thin mattress for two days before being released.Unclear · Oct 10, 2025 · East Bay Times, The New Republic, Of The Brave +2
Nigerian activist married to U.S. citizen beaten by ICE, deported to GhanaA Nigerian activist married to a U.S. citizen was beaten by agents after resisting a flight to Ghana, then sent on to Togo without travel documents, surviving on money from his family.Sep 2025 · Third Country Deportation Watch, BBC, The Guardian +2
Somali asylum seekers told by ICE they'd go home, sent to GuantanamoSeveral Somali asylum seekers, including a truck driver and a mechanic, were told they'd be deported home but flown to Guantánamo Bay instead, where they remain shackled.Aug 28, 2025 · Mother Jones, Down Ballot, HCN Times +2
Immigrants held by ICE in Miami prison report ignored medical complaints, cockroachesDetainees moved to Miami's Federal Detention Center describe cockroach infestations, overflowing toilets, extreme heat and ignored medical complaints, with the facility's population rising after fires near Krome.May 1, 2025 · The Guardian, Miami Herald
Deported Brazilians handcuffed 50 hours without air conditioning on U.S. flightBrazilian migrants deported on a January 25 flight said they were handcuffed for 50 hours without air conditioning and opened an emergency door to alert authorities on landing.Belo Horizonte, Brazil · Jan 25, 2025 · Folha de S.Paulo, Washington Post, Economic Times