Abuses and inhumane conditions in immigration detention centers in Louisiana

A report reveals that nine facilities in the state are in violation of federal regulations.

A recent report released on August 26 by a coalition of civil rights advocates has brought to light serious irregularities in nine immigration detention centers in Louisiana, United States. The investigation, led by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and covering 59 visits between 2022 and 2024, denounces the systematic non-compliance with federal and human rights laws at these facilities.

The report details a range of abuses and inhumane conditions affecting detainees, including physical assault, sexual abuse, and denial of essential medication for illnesses such as epilepsy and diabetes. It also notes the lack of access to feminine hygiene products and other basic necessities, which exacerbates the situation.

According to the study, based on interviews with more than 6,200 detainees, abuses include improper use of shackles inside the facilities, long periods of isolation and food contaminated by cockroaches in facilities that are 98% run by private companies. These deplorable conditions occur in a context where most of the facilities are located in rural areas, far from legal supervision and contact with family members.

Louisiana, with more than 6,000 immigrant detainees, is one of the states with the highest concentration of detention centers in the country, second only to Texas. Notably, the state is home to the only ICE jail in the United States that is directly connected to an airport, heightening concerns about the handling and treatment of detainees.

Sarah Decker, a co-author of the report and an attorney at Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, said in a statement that the accumulated evidence supports calls for the closure of ICE facilities in Louisiana, highlighting the “horrible stories” that have been corroborated through extensive documentation.

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Andrew Perry, an attorney with the ACLU of Louisiana, said immigration detention has been transformed into a “profit machine” that exploits both asylum seekers and long-term residents. Perry stressed that it is imperative to close these facilities to protect human rights and stop ongoing violations.