Demand Progress

The appalling conditions inside ICE detention centers have reached a new crisis point. Outbreaks of tuberculosis and other diseases are hitting crowded, filthy ICE prisons across the country.¹ Medical researchers say that the spread of these diseases will only get worse.²

Instead of addressing the horrid conditions in ICE prisons — like tens of people sharing the same toilet, and drinking from water spigots attached to toilets³ — Trump officials are outright ignoring the abuse. And ICE plans to use the influx of billions in funding from Trump’s budget to double the space it has for its prisons — including so-called “mega-facilities.”⁴

At least 12 people have died in ICE custody under Trump — on pace for one of the deadliest years in immigrant detention.^5,6 More will die, and many others will get sick and suffer abuse in ICE prisons unless Congress holds ICE accountable.

Sign the petition: Investigate ICE prisons and save immigrants from horrible, inhumane treatment!

After a man died by suicide in the largest ICE detention center in the northeast — one with a documented history of abuse — advocates are calling for the facility to be shutdown.⁷

This comes after Democratic lawmakers and Human Rights Watch documented the horrible treatment of people at ICE prisons in Florida. Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz called Alligator Alcatraz an “internment camp.”⁸ In another facility, Human Rights Watch found a dozen women crammed in one cell with no beds and a single toilet covered in feces. One man that ICE imprisoned for 63 days with no charge, said, “You feel like your life is over.”⁹

These are just some of the horrors of the Trump administration’s mass deportations. Our lawmakers must take a stand and do everything they can to end these “internment camps” on American soil.

Sign the petition: Investigate ICE prisons now! Protect immigrants from brutal ICE abuses.

Sources:

1. The American Prospect, "Tuberculosis Spawning in Crowded, Dirty ICE Detention Centers,” August 18, 2025.
2. Ibid.
3. USA Today, "'Help me!' Democrats decry 'vile' conditions at 'Alligator Alcatraz' immigrant prison,” July 14, 2025.
4. The Washington Post, "ICE documents reveal plan to double immigrant detention space this year,” August 15, 2025.
5. The Independent, "At least 11 people have died in ICE detention under Trump, as administration on pace for deadliest year in decades,” June 30, 2025.
6. The Intercept, "Chinese ICE Detainee Dies by Suicide at Pennsylvania Detention Center,” August 7, 2025.
7. WHYY, "Pennsylvania advocates call for shutdown of Moshannon after ICE detainee’s death,” August 7, 2025.
8. USA Today, "'Help me!' Democrats decry 'vile' conditions at 'Alligator Alcatraz' immigrant prison,” July 14, 2025.
9. Human Rights Watch, "'You Feel Like Your Life Is Over' Abusive Practices at Three Florida Immigration Detention Centers Since January,” July 21, 2025.