Congressional Democrats Demand Answers Over Treatment of Hunger Strikers at El Valle Detention Facility

Seven House Democrats led by Rep. Delia Ramirez wrote to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and acting ICE Director David Venturella demanding answers on the treatment of hunger strikers at the El Valle Detention Facility, run by Management and Training Corporation, and asking ICE not to force-feed anyone. The strike began October 11; families say four women and 10 to 20 men are still taking part, protesting poor medical care, undrinkable water and long detention. The husband of Russian asylum seeker Inna Eremeeva says striking women were told they would be moved elsewhere to be force-fed; ICE called that claim “FALSE.”