Federal Detention Center
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · 14 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 May 2025 to Oct 2026.
- Food or water withheld21% vs 10%
The person went without food or water for an extended period, or was given spoiled or inadequate food.
- Extreme heat or cold21% vs 3%
Held in a freezing or dangerously hot space (hieleras, no heat, no air conditioning in summer).
- Medical requests ignored21% vs 15%
Requests for care, a doctor, or an emergency response were refused, delayed, or dismissed.
share of stories hereacross all facilities
Everything the stories describe here
- Food or water withheld · 3 stories
The person went without food or water for an extended period, or was given spoiled or inadequate food.
- Extreme heat or cold · 3 stories
Held in a freezing or dangerously hot space (hieleras, no heat, no air conditioning in summer).
- Medical requests ignored · 3 stories
Requests for care, a doctor, or an emergency response were refused, delayed, or dismissed.
- Overcrowding · 2 stories
Held in a space far over capacity: a holding cell, a bus, an airport facility, a tent.
- Punished for complaining or organizing · 1 story
Isolation, transfer, lost privileges, or threats after the person complained, filed a grievance, spoke to media, organized, or joined a hunger strike.
- Solitary confinement · 1 story
Placed in isolation or segregation.
- Medication withheld · 1 story
Prescribed medication (insulin, HIV drugs, psychiatric medication, seizure drugs, chemotherapy) was taken, withheld, or not provided.
In their words
No verbatim testimony extracted yet.
Stories
Diabetic Cuban detainee denied medication, now faces deportation to AfricaNoslén Sendra, 41, a diabetic Cuban detainee, suffered pancreatitis requiring hospitalization and his wife says he still isn't getting needed medication at a Miami federal detention center.Miramar, FL · Oct 21, 2026 · El País, The Guardian
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
Nelson C.G.: Venezuelan asylum seeker detained by ICE days after his weddingNelson Contreras-Gelves, 35, a Venezuelan asylum seeker called 'irreplaceable' by coworkers, was detained a week after his wedding and held for months before being released in September with an ankle monitor.PA · Sep 10, 2026 · NBC Philadelphia, CBS News, Philadelphia Inquirer- Sanat A.: Uzbek asylum seeker arrested at ICE check-in, held in PhiladelphiaAn Uzbek asylum seeker who had lived in the U.S. over two years was detained at a routine ICE check-in in August 2026. A court ruled his detention unlawful and ordered his immediate release.Philadelphia, PA · Aug 19, 2026 · CourtListener
- Shalva J.: Georgian man arrested by ICE near his Philadelphia homeA Georgian man who had lived in Philadelphia for over three years was arrested near his home and held at a federal detention center, but a judge ordered him released, finding his detention unlawful.Philadelphia, PA · Aug 15, 2026 · CourtListener
- Faridun A.: Ukrainian awaiting parole renewal arrested by ICE near his Philadelphia homeA Ukrainian humanitarian parolee who had lived in the U.S. for about two years was arrested near his home and held at a federal detention center. A judge ordered him released, ruling his detention unlawful.Philadelphia, PA · Aug 15, 2026 · CourtListener
- Lester G.H.: Honduran New Jersey resident arrested by ICE in Pennsylvania, held without bondA Honduran man settled in New Jersey was detained after ICE apprehended him in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, and held him under mandatory detention rules. A court ordered his release and barred re-detention for seven days.Pottsville, PA · Jul 31, 2026 · CourtListener
- Manuel S.A.: Ecuadorian father detained by ICE in Philadelphia based on mistaken identityAn Ecuadorian man with two U.S. citizen children, in the country since 2003, was detained in Philadelphia after officers mistook him for someone else. A court ordered his immediate release days later.Philadelphia, PA · Jul 29, 2026 · CourtListener
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- Naseeb N.: Indian man arrested by DHS at Philadelphia check-in, held without bond hearingAn Indian immigrant living in Philadelphia was detained without a bond hearing after a routine check-in under a policy requiring mandatory detention. A court ruled he must receive a bond hearing before an immigration judge.Philadelphia, PA · Jul 15, 2026 · CourtListener
- Jose S.P.: Father of two U.S. citizen children detained by ICE after 30 yearsA Mexican man who lived in the U.S. for 30 years and has two U.S. citizen children was detained, then ordered released after a court found his detention unlawful.Philadelphia, PA · May 18, 2026 · CourtListener
- Jose Manuel A.: Brevard father who came legally from Cuba held by ICE, faces deportationJose Manuel Allende, 58, who came to the U.S. legally from Cuba decades ago, was detained in his driveway. His family is fighting his deportation while he remains held in Miami, unable to pursue his pending green card.Palm Bay, FL · Sep 2025 · WESH, Florida Today, Tallahassee.com +1
Juan José E.L.: Kona coffee worker held 168 days by ICE after green card interviewJuan José Estrada Lopez, 42, a Nicaraguan Kona coffee farm worker married to a U.S. citizen, was held 168 days after his green card interview before being freed with lawful permanent resident status.Captain Cook, HI · Aug 2025 · Star Advertiser, Fresh Cup, ACLU Hawaii
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
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.
- Still detained 36%
- Released 64%