On the afternoon of July 23, 2019, one of five Indian men on hunger strike at the Otero County Processing Center (OCPC) was abruptly transferred to the El Paso Service Processing Center (EPSPC). This morning, a search on ICE’s online locator yielded no results, indicating he was no longer in ICE custody. Advocates feared this man was in the process of being deported, and hidden from supporters in an attempt to further isolate him. Sadly, we just received word that he was put on a plane early this morning and deported. ICE speedily deported someone who has not eaten in more than a week. ICE regularly advises detained individuals weeks in advance of their expected removal, yet this man was given no forewarning. Despite ICE’s repeat boilerplate claims that “it does not retaliate in any way against hunger strikers,” the hasty and unannounced removal of a man who has not eaten for more than a week is clear evidence of ICE retaliation against a hunger striker.
Read moreIndian Man on Hunger Strike at Otero County Processing Center Deported