Buffalo Federal Detention Facility
Batavia, New York · 31 well-documented stories
What stands out here
Conditions that appear in a larger share of this facility's stories than of facility stories in general. Stories run from Feb 2025 to Oct 2026.
- Medical requests ignored19% vs 15%
Requests for care, a doctor, or an emergency response were refused, delayed, or dismissed.
- Medication withheld10% vs 6%
Prescribed medication (insulin, HIV drugs, psychiatric medication, seizure drugs, chemotherapy) was taken, withheld, or not provided.
- Shackled or chained10% vs 6%
Shackled, chained, zip-tied for long periods, restrained during transport or medical care, or held in a restraint chair.
share of stories hereacross all facilities
Everything the stories describe here
- Medical requests ignored · 6 stories
Requests for care, a doctor, or an emergency response were refused, delayed, or dismissed.
- Medication withheld · 3 stories
Prescribed medication (insulin, HIV drugs, psychiatric medication, seizure drugs, chemotherapy) was taken, withheld, or not provided.
- Shackled or chained · 3 stories
Shackled, chained, zip-tied for long periods, restrained during transport or medical care, or held in a restraint chair.
- Food or water withheld · 3 stories
The person went without food or water for an extended period, or was given spoiled or inadequate food.
- Injury needing medical treatment · 3 stories
The person or a bystander was hurt badly enough to need medical care.
- Suicide, attempt, or self-harm · 1 story
The person died by suicide, attempted it, or harmed themselves.
- Overcrowding · 1 story
Held in a space far over capacity: a holding cell, a bus, an airport facility, a tent.
- No bed, sleep, or basic hygiene · 1 story
Slept on the floor, no bed or blanket, lights on all night, no shower, no toilet access, or similar.
In their words
“I have never felt racism the way I have felt it inside this camp. When I first got here the guards told me, “When you get to El Paso, Texas, there’s no going back. You’re only getting out deported or dead.””
“From my vantage point and what I saw for the last three years, this kid's been nothing but like model citizen,”
Stories
German M.G.: SUNY Brockport IT worker seeking asylum detained by ICE outside Batavia homeGerman Machado Guillen, a Venezuelan IT technician at SUNY Brockport, was detained outside his Batavia home on his way to work. He and his wife fled Venezuela in 2016 and have an asylum case still pending.Batavia, NY · Oct 15, 2026 · uupinfo.org, Rochester First, uticaod.com +3
Rideshare driver detained by ICE days after family's apartment fireSerkan Bingol, a Turkish rideshare driver and father of a 5-month-old, was detained near Albany days after a fire destroyed his family's apartment. He is held at the Batavia detention center.Albany, NY · Oct 12, 2026 · Berkshire Eagle, zamanamerika.com
Carlos A.: Syracuse asylum seeker held three months by ICE, repeatedly denied bondCarlos Arreaga, a Syracuse resident active in his community for eight years, was detained without a warrant while heading to work and denied bond for three months before being released to his family.Syracuse, NY · Sep 21, 2026 · The News House, Documented, CNY CentralIbrahim T.: Turkish diabetes researcher detained after GPS wrong turn near Canadian borderIbrahim Topkaya, 33, a Turkish diabetes researcher, was detained after a GPS error rerouted him near the Canadian border during a trip with his visiting mother. He remains held in Batavia.Lewiston, NY · Sep 6, 2026 · Spectrum Local News, WIVB, Investigative Post
Keiber E.M.: Venezuelan chef married to U.S. citizen held by ICE in BataviaKeiber Alexander Esposito Martinez, who rose from dishwasher to sous chef at a Buffalo restaurant, was detained by ICE on his way to work and is now suing for release.“From my vantage point and what I saw for the last three years, this kid's been nothing but like model citizen,” — Zina Lapi, restaurant ownerBuffalo, NY · Aug 17, 2026 · BTPM, Investigative Post, Chili Chili +2
Jesus C.: Asylum seeker, 63, detained during ICE check-in at Malta facilityJesus Carrion, 63, an asylum seeker, was detained during what he thought was a routine ICE check-in after being told to bring family members. His wife, a teacher and U.S. citizen, awaits word on his status.Malta, NY · Jul 26, 2026 · WNYT, Gothamist, Times Union
At least 11 people detained during ICE check-ins at Malta field officeAt least 11 people, including asylum seeker Jesus Carrión, were detained during routine check-ins at ICE's Malta office. His wife expected a standard check-in, but he was held at Batavia detention center under movement restrictions.Malta, NY · Jul 26, 2026 · Gothamist, Times Union
Newton W.: Oak Bluffs chef held by ICE 10 months, suffered untreated heart attacksNewton Waite, a Jamaican-born Oak Bluffs chef and father of a U.S. citizen daughter, spent 10 months in ICE detention, suffering two untreated heart attacks before a judge ordered his release.Falmouth, MA · Jul 9, 2026 · Vineyard Gazette, News Americas Now, Documented- Nando: Guatemalan tomato farm worker deported after ICE arrest near Rochester plantNando, a Guatemalan worker at a Rochester-area tomato packing plant for 15 months, was arrested leaving work with his wife and deported in early July. He is now staying with his parents in a rural area without cell service.Rochester, NY · Jul 8, 2026 · New York Focus, The Daily Star, New York Newz
Juan B.L.: Colombian father attempted suicide three times during nine-month ICE detentionJuan Bonilla Lagos, a Colombian father, was arrested in front of his wife and young son and attempted suicide three times in detention. He was freed after nine months.Plainview, NY · Jul 7, 2026 · Newsday, Daily Voice, NTN
Johan S.: Baseball MVP detained by ICE in Clifton Park, New YorkJohan Sandoval, 22, a Savannah State baseball MVP from the Dominican Republic, was detained outside his girlfriend's apartment after his student visa was terminated. His family is raising funds for legal help.Savannah, GA · Jul 4, 2026 · HBCU Gameday, Georgia Public Broadcasting, WTOC +10Mohamed F.: Asylum-seeking Syracuse hospital worker held 7 months by ICEMohamed Fofana, 22, a Guinean asylum seeker working at Upstate Medical University, was held seven months, once losing contact with his lawyer for a month, before a judge freed him and he returned to Syracuse in June 2026.Syracuse, NY · Jun 9, 2026 · Spectrum Local News, syracuse.com, CNY Central
Seven restaurant workers with work permits detained by ICE in Lake PlacidSeven restaurant workers from Indian Heritage in Lake Placid, all with legal work authorization, were detained during a traffic stop on their way to work. They were transported roughly 300 miles to a Batavia detention facility.Lake Placid, NY · Jun 2, 2026 · CBS 6 Albany, NNY 360, Press Republican +2
14 workers with work authorization detained in Lake Placid ICE raidFourteen people with valid work authorization, including roofers on a short-term project and a local man with a pending asylum case, were detained in a Lake Placid parking lot and taken to a facility 300 miles away.Lake Placid, NY · May 28, 2026 · Adirondack Explorer, CBS 6 Albany, NNY 360 +2
Lake Placid maintenance worker with TPS held two weeks after ICE raidA Venezuelan maintenance worker at Grandview Resort in Lake Placid, with work authorization and no criminal record, was arrested arriving for work and held nearly two weeks before release on an ankle monitor.Lake Placid, NY · May 28, 2026 · Documented, North Country Public Radio, Adirondack Explorer- Alexander V.M.: Venezuelan man held by ICE at Buffalo detention facilityA Venezuelan man held at Buffalo Federal Detention Facility asked a court for release or a bond hearing. A judge blocked his deportation for now but denied immediate release.Batavia, NY · Apr 24, 2026 · CourtListener
John A.: Ex-Syracuse basketball player held by ICE faces deportation to South SudanJohn Bol Ajak, 26, a former Syracuse University basketball player, was detained for over a month after his student visa expired. He agreed to leave for South Sudan within 60 days.Syracuse, NY · Apr 3, 2026 · New York Post, AOL, LinkedIn +3- 5 Buffalo Bills stadium workers with valid work permits detained by ICEFive Venezuelan construction workers with valid work permits were detained March 6-7 while building the Buffalo Bills stadium and are held at Batavia Federal Detention Facility awaiting removal hearings.Buffalo, NY · Mar 12, 2026 · WKBW, Two Bills Drive, Sports Illustrated
Jin Hao Z.: Camden restaurant owner held 8 months by ICE, forcing restaurant's closureJin Hao Zhang, 56, ran Camden's China Moon restaurant for nearly 20 years before ICE detained him, forcing its closure. He won an appeal and returned home to his family in March 2026.Camden, NY · Mar 1, 2026 · Rome Sentinel, WKTV, World Journal
Adelso B.: Syracuse painter detained by ICE near his home, held 21 daysAdelso Bravo, a 39-year-old Guatemalan painter who had lived in Syracuse over 20 years, was detained near his home for 21 days before his wife, lawyers and community members raised $18,000 to free him on bond.Syracuse, NY · Feb 10, 2026 · syracuse.com, syracuse.com, CBS12 +1- Julien P.: French tennis coach held a month in ICE detention, shackled, then expelledJulien Pereira, a 26-year-old French tennis coach, was held a month at a Batavia, New York ICE facility, facing shackling and poor food and water, before being released on bail and ordered to leave within 15 days.Batavia, NY · Feb 4, 2026 · NPR, KUOW
Omar R.J.: Rochester restaurant founder lured to ICE office to install app, detainedOmar Ramos Jimenez, 50, co-founder of Rochester's La Casa restaurant and resident since 2004, was lured to an ICE office under a false pretext and remains held after a judge denied his release.Rochester, NY · Feb 1, 2026 · New York Immigration Coalition, WXXI News, Rochester First +2- Detainees face delayed and denied medical care as ICE stops paying hospitalsDetained immigrants have faced delayed or denied medical care since ICE stopped paying outside hospitals in October 2025, leaving providers like a Colorado hospital owed over $4 million.Buffalo, NY · Jan 19, 2026 · Kaizen, Popular.info
- Man with life-threatening conditions not given proper medical care by ICEA detainee at Batavia with multiple life-threatening conditions said he was denied proper medical care, a claim an independent physician found deeply concerning. A judge ordered his release in August 2025.Batavia, NY · Nov 6, 2025 · The Intercept, RFK Human Rights, Central Current
- Honduran man with chronic pain denied prescribed skin cream in ICE detentionA Honduran man held at Batavia was denied a prescribed skin cream and adequate pain medication after ibuprofen stopped working, advocates said in July 2025, despite requests for specialist care.Batavia, NY · Nov 6, 2025 · The Intercept, RFK Human Rights, Central Current
Two SUNY Upstate employees detained by ICE at hearings to finalize statusTwo SUNY Upstate Medical University employees were detained while attending hearings to finalize their legal status. They are now held at the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility and face possible deportation.Syracuse, New York · Oct 30, 2025 · WAER, iHeartRadio (WSYR), Local Syracuse +3
Ramiro G.: Ecuadorian man arrested by masked agents while walking to work in BuffaloRamiro G., 33, was arrested by masked agents while walking to work in Buffalo after texting his wife that ICE was following him, then held at Batavia before transfer to Camp East Montana.“I have never felt racism the way I have felt it inside this camp. When I first got here the guards told me, “When you get to El Paso, Texas, there’s no going back. You’re only getting out deported or dead.”” — Javier C.Buffalo, NY · 2025 · Human Rights Watch
Josue C.C.: 29-year-old Salvadoran man arrested and held by ICE in New YorkJosue Coreas-Chavek, 29, from El Salvador, was arrested by ICE immediately after his release from a New York prison on April 18, 2025, and remains held pending further proceedings.Attica, NY · Apr 18, 2025 · Shore News Network, Moore News, Briefly +3- Tim: Nigerian man with head injury denied medication by ICE, deportedTim, a Nigerian man recovering from a major concussion, went at least a month without his nine prescribed medications at Batavia and got only one therapy session before being deported.Batavia, NY · Apr 2025 · The Intercept, RFK Human Rights, Central Current
- Sering C.: Gambian man with heart conditions suffers stroke-like syndrome after ICE denies medicationsA Gambian man with serious heart conditions was shackled and held at a New York facility, going two weeks without his heart medication before suffering a stroke-like episode. A judge ordered his release.New York, NY · Feb 19, 2025 · Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, The Intercept, Central Current
- Chidi N.: Nigerian man loses six fingers to untreated frostbite in ICE detentionChidi Nwagbo, who had lived in the U.S. 37 years, lost portions of six fingers after ICE staff failed to bring him to a frostbite specialist appointment for 16 days.Batavia, NY · Feb 10, 2025 · Investigative Post, The Intercept, RFK Human Rights +1
Where people stood at the latest report
Each square is one percent of these stories. Read it with care: people who are still detained or already deported have far less access to reporters and lawyers than people who were released, so this mix reflects who gets covered more than how cases end.
- Deported 6%
- Still detained 52%
- Released 32%
- Unknown 10%