‘Stark example of brutality’: Trump’s ICE used court orders in plan to force-feed at least 10 hunger strikers in detention
Exclusive: court records reviewed by the Guardian show medical procedures included force-feeding, intravenous forced hydration and involuntary blood draws
TL;DR
- Homeland security officials under the Trump administration attempted involuntary medical procedures, including force-feeding, on at least 10 hunger strikers in US immigrant detention.
- At least three detained immigrants were subjected to these procedures, with two more possibly subjected and five others breaking their strikes at the last minute.
- The procedures, considered torture by human rights groups, included force-feeding, intravenous hydration, involuntary blood draws, and urine sample collection.
- In six reviewed cases, detained immigrants lacked legal representation during court proceedings for involuntary medical procedures.
- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requested court permission for detention center guards to physically restrain hunger strikers for these procedures.
- The practice was also attempted under the Biden administration, but medical experts worry about an increase with the return of Trump and rising detention numbers.
- DHS and ICE officials justified the procedures to prevent detainees from starving, maintain public perception, and ensure 'good order' in detention centers.