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Permanent resident denied insulin, malaria treatment during seven-month ICE detention

Jul 31, 2026 · Boston, MA, Trinidad and Tobago

Permanent resident denied insulin, malaria treatment during seven-month ICE detention

Elton Purvis, a 55-year-old lawful permanent resident and devout Rastafarian priest with Type 1 diabetes from Trinidad and Tobago, was detained by ICE at Boston Logan Airport on May 13, 2025, upon returning to the United States to attend his sons' graduations. He is a father of nine U.S. citizen children and had been a community fixture for more than 30 years. According to ACLU tort claims filed on his behalf, Purvis had malaria when detained and ICE officers confiscated his insulin and malaria medication; he was not treated for malaria for his first 12 days in custody. During seven months in multiple facilities including the South Texas Detention Complex in Pearsall, Purvis filed over 100 grievances seeking medical assistance and became unresponsive in his cell at least three times due to dangerously low blood sugar levels. He received hospital treatment at least three times but guards repeatedly ignored requests for medical help. Staff also refused to accommodate his strict vegetarian diet required by his religion and medical condition. Purvis was deported to Trinidad and Tobago on December 6, 2025, and is seeking $10 million in damages. His case is part of a nationwide ACLU effort that filed more than 50 claims across 17 states and Washington, D.C., alleging that immigration officials and subcontractors neglected detained immigrants' medical and food needs.

Timeline

Jul 31, 2026ACLU of Texas filed tort claim on Purvis's behalf seeking $10 million in damages for negligence, medical negligence, abuse of process, and intentional infliction of emotional distress; claim is part of nationwide ACLU effort filing more than 50 claims across 17 states and Washington, D.C.
Dec 6, 2025Purvis deported to Trinidad and Tobago
May 25, 2025Purvis not treated for malaria for first 12 days in custody despite having the illness when detained
May 13, 2025Elton Purvis detained by ICE at Boston Logan Airport upon returning to attend his sons' graduations; had malaria and was on insulin therapy; ICE confiscated his insulin and malaria medication
May 13, 2025During seven-month detention at South Texas Detention Complex in Pearsall and other facilities, Purvis filed over 100 grievances seeking medical assistance; became unresponsive in cell at least three times due to dangerously low blood sugar levels; received hospital treatment at least three times; staff refused to accommodate his strict vegetarian diet required by religion and medical condition

Sources

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