In custody
Hunger strike
The person or a group refused food in protest.
Documented in 11 states. Every well-documented story coded this way, grouped by state. See what accompanies it →
Arizona
California
Adelanto detainees zip-tied, threatened with teargas after staging hunger strikeDetainees at Adelanto who staged a hunger strike were zip-tied, threatened with teargas, put in solitary confinement and transferred, attorneys say, while officials deny retaliation occurred.Adelanto, CA · Jul 28, 2026 · The Guardian, Immigration Defenders, Los Angeles Times +2
Kyon S.: Adelanto hunger strike organizer deported to Belize after speaking to CongressKyon Shakeel Swaso, 35, helped organize a hunger strike at California's Adelanto detention center and later spoke with Congress about conditions there. He was then transferred twice and deported to Belize, which advocates called retaliation.Adelanto, CA · Jun 17, 2026 · Democracy Now, KVCR News, Calo News +2
Detainees hunger strike over care at Adelanto ICE facility after four deathsAt least 20 detainees at Adelanto's Desert View Annex went on hunger strike in mid-May 2026 over poor food, unsafe conditions and inadequate care, after four deaths at the facility since September 2025.Adelanto, CA · May 26, 2026 · LAist, Mission Local, American Community Media +6
Karam: Detainee with stomach ulcer denied medication, vomiting blood in ICE custodyKaram, held at California City ICE Detention Facility with a chronic stomach ulcer, went without his medication, began vomiting blood, and has gone on four hunger strikes since September.California City, CA · Sep 18, 2025 · The New Yorker, The Desert Sun, ACLU of Indiana +2
Florida
Andriy S.: Ukrainian man denied bipolar medication in ICE custody hospitalized after hunger strikeAndriy Shepitsen, a 46-year-old Ukrainian held since December, went on a 60-day hunger strike after being denied his psychiatric medications, leaving him unable to walk and hospitalized in shock. Advocates say his life remains at risk.Miami, FL · Apr 12, 2026 · Davis Vanguard, Miami New Times, Amnesty USA +2
Detainees report fecal flooding and maggots in food at Florida's Alligator AlcatrazDetainees at Florida's Alligator Alcatraz reported non-functioning toilets, contaminated food, and denied medical care; one was hospitalized by ambulance on July 7. Over 250 held there have no criminal convictions or charges.Everglades, FL · Aug 7, 2025 · Washington Post, CBS News, Associated Press +2- Injuries and medical emergencies at Alligator Alcatraz detention facility prompt 911 callsAbout 70 recently obtained 911 calls from Alligator Alcatraz detail medical emergencies and injuries among detainees, with roughly 30 from staff. Detainees have also staged a hunger strike to protest conditions.Ochopee, FL · Aug 5, 2025 · CBS12, CBS News, NBC Miami
Detainees on ten-day hunger strike at Florida detention center, one hospitalizedDetainees at a South Florida facility nicknamed "Alligator Alcatraz" have hunger-struck for ten days over conditions; one, Pedro Hernández, was hospitalized but kept refusing food.Miramar, FL · Aug 1, 2025 · The Independent, NBC News, NBC Miami
Georgia
Idris M.: Hunger-striking Russian asylum seeker deported after 27 months in ICE custodyIdris Makhmudov, a Russian asylum seeker held nearly 27 months without charges, helped organize a hunger strike over detention conditions before being deported after refusing food and water for four days.Folkston, GA · Oct 12, 2026 · The Guardian, The Verge, Factum +3- About 500 on hunger strike over conditions at Folkston ICE facilityAbout 500 detainees, including 372 men in one building, launched a hunger strike at Georgia's Folkston ICE facility over undrinkable water, inadequate food and medical care, and prolonged detention.Folkston, GA · Oct 6, 2026 · The Current GA, Georgia Public Broadcasting
Michigan
Minnesota
Adam A.: St. Paul asylum seeker held at Guantánamo, allegedly beaten, deported to SomaliaAdam Mohamed Abdullah, a Somali auto mechanic from St. Paul, was held at Guantánamo Bay and says he was beaten there; his mother died while he was denied a call to her before his deportation.““From Miami they say OK we go to Somalia, but first we go to Cuba for refueling then we go to some other countries to Somalia,”” — Adam AbdullahSt. Paul, MN · Sep 25, 2026 · Documented, MPR News, Truthout +4
Ian A.: Army veteran ICE protester placed on travel restrictions and firearms suspensionArmy veteran Ian Davis Austin was placed on probation with travel restrictions, a mental health evaluation, and suspended firearm access after protesting at ICE detention facilities, including a hunger strike in Newark.Saint Paul, MN · Jul 22, 2025 · The Guardian, Spokesman-Recorder, The Guardian Wings +2
New Jersey
Martín S.: Father held in solitary, wife loses pregnancy during ICE detentionMartin Soto, a restaurant cook and father of two, was detained by ICE while buying diapers for his son. He spent months in solitary confinement, where his wife told him she had lost her pregnancy.Kearny, NJ · Oct 6, 2026 · NJ.com, Mamas Latinas, Truthout +16
Newark ICE detainees on hunger strike, woman reports miscarriage without helpDetainees at a Newark detention center held a hunger strike over spoiled food and poor medical care, as Newark's mayor was arrested visiting the site and a senator was hit with tear gas trying to mediate.“Woman who had a miscarriage and left to manage all on her own.” — Sen. Andy KimNewark, NJ · Oct 5, 2026 · WFMD, Fox News, CBS News +2- Burkina Faso asylum seeker held by ICE nearly a year in NewarkA man from Burkina Faso seeking asylum has been held nearly a year at Newark's Delaney Hall with no release date. He joined a hunger strike protesting conditions there.Newark, NJ · Jul 27, 2026 · Documented
300 detainees on hunger strike at Delaney Hall report beatings, solitaryAbout 300 people held at Delaney Hall in Newark went on hunger strike over spoiled food, filthy bathrooms, and poor medical care, including one detainee denied treatment for a head injury after slipping in the shower.Newark, NJ · Jun 30, 2026 · CBS News, NBC News, El País +10
Gabriela S.: Wife and children denied ICE detention visits over 11-month-old's onesieGabriela Soto's husband has been detained at Delaney Hall since January, and she and her children have been denied visits more than 10 times over clothing deemed 'provocative,' including her toddlers' outfits.Newark, NJ · Jun 15, 2026 · The Guardian, Briefly, Daily Voice +2
Hundreds hunger strike over worm-infested food at Newark ICE facilityHundreds of detainees at Newark's Delaney Hall began a hunger strike in May 2026 over spoiled, worm-infested food and $1-a-day labor; guards used pepper spray on protesters outside.Newark, NJ · Jun 11, 2026 · ACLU, Patch, Theresa's Sweetheart +12
Dozens arrested, senator pepper sprayed at Newark detention hunger strike protestHundreds protested outside Newark's Delaney Hall detention center starting May 25, 2026, supporting detainees' hunger strike over moldy food and overcrowding; Senator Andy Kim was pepper sprayed and at least 80 people were arrested.Newark, NJ · Jun 8, 2026 · Reuters, CBS News, The Independent +17
Ryan M.: Reuters photojournalist suffers broken finger from federal officer's baton at Newark protestReuters photojournalist Ryan Murphy had his finger broken and needed stitches after federal officers repeatedly struck him with a baton while he photographed protests outside Newark's Delaney Hall detention center on May 28, 2026.Newark, NJ · May 31, 2026 · PetaPixel, Press Freedom Tracker, French Intelligence +2- Madison S.: New York Times photographer shoved down, struck with baton at Newark protestNew York Times photographer Madison Swart was shoved to the ground and struck with a baton by an officer while covering protests outside Newark's Delaney Hall on May 28, 2026, despite standing apart as clearly identifiable press.Newark, NJ · May 31, 2026 · PetaPixel, Press Freedom Tracker, Radio Free
Andy K.: Senator pepper-sprayed by ICE agents, treated by medics outside Newark detention facilitySen. Andy Kim was pepper-sprayed and struck in the hand while trying to defuse a clash outside Newark's Delaney Hall, where detainees were on a hunger strike over food and medical care.Newark, NJ · May 25, 2026 · The Guardian, NJ.com, The Daily Beast +2
Ariadna Z.: NJ teen detained 53 days by ICE, missing prom and graduationAriadna Zumba, 18, in the U.S. since age nine, was held 53 days at Delaney Hall, missing prom and graduation. She later got her diploma and plans to study social sciences.Orange, NJ · Apr 9, 2026 · North Jersey, IFEG
New Mexico
Rogelio B.: Cuban hunger striker moved across four states, deported to Ecuador by ICERogelio Bolufé, 44, was moved across four states after a 10-day hunger strike protesting detention conditions, then deported to Ecuador in May 2026 while appealing his case.Estancia, NM · May 11, 2026 · Tri City Record, Are You Pop, News from the States +2
Rogelio B.I.: Cuban hunger striker says ICE shuttled him through four states, denied careRogelio Bolufé Izquierdo, a 44-year-old Cuban detainee who organized about 200 others to document poor facility conditions, says he was denied medical care and shuffled through four states during a hunger strike.Estancia, NM · Apr 19, 2026 · Albuquerque Journal, News from the States, Tri City Record +1
New York
Texas
Hunger-striking Cuban man in ICE custody ordered force-fed by surgical tubeA Cuban man held near Houston went on a hunger strike and was force-fed under a judge's order, including approval for a surgical feeding tube, though DHS later said he had resumed eating.Conroe, TX · Sep 1, 2026 · The Guardian, International Business Times, Federal Character +3
Gabar C.: Kurdish filmmaker shackled and force-fed twice daily in ICE detentionGabar Choli, a 40-year-old Kurdish filmmaker, described being shackled and force-fed through a nasal tube twice daily during a hunger strike at a Texas detention center. He was later deported and now lives in Canada.Los Fresnos, TX · Aug 10, 2026 · The Guardian, Eastern New Mexico News, Nexa News +1- Hunger-striking detainees force-fed by ICE, one daily for nearly six monthsAt least ten detained immigrants, including an Afghan man, a Ukrainian man with bipolar disorder, and a Saudi woman, were force-fed during hunger strikes, one daily for nearly six months after a judge approved it without a hearing.“At that point, his wife and I were trying to get him out of the hunger strike, but he was in such a mental state that he just really couldn’t hear that.” — Katie BlankenshipTexas · Aug 5, 2026 · The Guardian, International Business Times
Hunger strikers in ICE detention force-fed, one asylum seeker for 8 monthsAt least ten hunger strikers in immigrant detention faced attempts at force-feeding, including one Kurdish asylum seeker fed against his will for eight months at a Texas facility.Los Fresnos, TX; Miami, FL; Washington State; Houston, TX · Aug 3, 2026 · The Guardian, Consortium News
Martin G.: 66-year-old cancer survivor with partial lung removal denied care for monthsMartin G., a 66-year-old Cuban cancer survivor with part of a lung removed, says he was denied medical care for months while detained, then put in solitary confinement after a hunger strike.El Paso, TX · September 2025 · Human Rights Watch
Washington
Over 140 Tacoma ICE detainees on hunger strike over food, medical careMore than 140 people held at a Tacoma detention center are on hunger strike, protesting insufficient food, unsanitary conditions and lack of medical care at the GEO Group-run facility.Tacoma, WA · Aug 12, 2026 · Cascadia Journal, NWPB, Investigate West
Yury S.: Russian immigrant who sought ICE help returning home held 11 monthsYury Saaryan, a Russian man who sought help returning home, has been held nearly 11 months despite a deportation order and three hunger strikes; a court denied his release request in July 2026.Tacoma, WA · Aug 2025 · Chron, EXA, Seattle Times
Rakesh R.: Indian man mistakenly flown to Alaska by ICE, held 16 more daysRakesh Rakesh, an Indian national cleared to leave voluntarily, was mistakenly flown to Sitka, Alaska instead of home. He was re-detained for 16 days and went on a hunger strike before finally departing for India.Tacoma, WA · Jun 17, 2025 · MyNorthwest, KUOW, Juneau Independent +4
Rakesh R.: Indian man mistakenly flown to Alaska by ICE, held 16 more daysRakesh Rakesh volunteered to self-deport to India but was mistakenly flown to Sitka, Alaska, then re-detained for 16 days in Seattle, prompting him to go on a hunger strike.Seattle, WA · May 2025 · Yakima Herald, KUOW, Juneau Independent +1
Location not tied to one state
Andrei M.: Russian asylum seeker on hunger strike after months in Georgia ICE facilityAndrei Mikhailov, a Russian immigrant who fled after criticizing his government, has been held at a Georgia facility since February and is now on a hunger strike awaiting a new asylum hearing.FL · Oct 12, 2026 · NBC Chicago, The Insider
Roberto M.P.: Father of four deported to Eswatini, imprisoned over a year without chargesRoberto Mosquera del Peral, 59, a Cuban plumber and father of four who came to the U.S. in the 1980 Mariel boatlift, was deported without consent to Eswatini and has been jailed over a year without charges.Eswatini · Sep 19, 2026 · PBS, CiberCuba, Cuba Headlines +2
Ghanaian LGBTQ+ women deported to Cameroon, held two months in compoundSoraya, a Ghanaian woman granted protection from deportation, was instead sent to Cameroon with two other Ghanaian LGBTQ+ women, shackled, held two months, and freed only after a hunger strike.“You couldn't move, and it felt like we had committed some kind of crime, like terrorism. I felt like a terrorist because what on earth did I do to be shackled like that to the point that I couldn't move. I just came to the US for safety. I didn't expect that at all.”Aug 5, 2026 · Ghana Tomorrow, France 24- Detained immigrant force-fed during hunger strike in ICE custodyA detained immigrant on hunger strike was force-fed, forcibly hydrated, catheterized and given involuntary blood draws, according to an ICE medical document, as at least seven others were on hunger strike in February 2026.Jul 28, 2026 · The Guardian
Roberto M.: Cuban and Yemeni men deported to Eswatini, imprisoned nine months without chargesA Cuban man and a Yemeni man, among five deported to Eswatini, have been imprisoned there without charges since July 2025, though a court recently granted them access to a lawyer.Apr 10, 2026 · The Guardian, El País, Third Country Deportation Watch +11
Somali asylum seekers told by ICE they'd go home, sent to GuantanamoSeveral Somali asylum seekers, including a truck driver and a mechanic, were told they'd be deported home but flown to Guantánamo Bay instead, where they remain shackled.Aug 28, 2025 · Mother Jones, Down Ballot, HCN Times +2