Ousmane Ba, a 33-year-old man from Senegal, tragically passed away in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody on February 23rd after being hospitalized for nearly a month. Ba had been detained at the Winn Correctional Center in Louisiana since early September, and his condition deteriorated while there. The facility has a history of complaints regarding inadequate medical care, unsanitary conditions, and mistreatment of detainees. Immigrant rights advocates held a vigil outside ICE’s New Orleans field office to honor Ba and others who have died in ICE custody, demanding an end to the contract with the facility and the release of the detainees held there.
Advocates fear that more deaths are inevitable if conditions at the Winn facility do not improve. ICE argues that private detention contractors are crucial for its operations, despite concerns raised by advocacy groups about the safety of facilities like Winn. Ba had been experiencing health issues since November, two weeks after his transfer to Winn, including vomiting and bleeding from the nose and mouth. His symptoms persisted for months, with the need for outside medical attention becoming increasingly urgent. Despite multiple hospitalizations and treatments, Ba’s condition continued to worsen, leading to his tragic death in February.
The conditions at the Winn facility have raised red flags over the years, with reports of abuse, substandard medical care, and unsanitary living conditions. Calls for the closure or downsizing of the facility have been made by various organizations, including the Department of Homeland Security’s Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, citing concerns for the detainees’ health and safety. Even though an ICE inspection report rated the facility as “acceptable/adequate,” there were still numerous deficiencies highlighted, indicating a downward trend in compliance since the previous year’s inspection.
In response to the concerning conditions at ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facilities, three House Democrats have requested a review of emergency medical procedures and major surgeries performed on detainees. The letter calls attention to incidents of poor medical care and difficulties obtaining appropriate treatment in urgent situations. ICE maintains that it provides medical screenings upon arrival and full health assessments within 14 days of detention, with access to medical appointments and emergent care. However, advocates argue that Ba’s death and the suffering of others in similar situations cast a dark shadow over the treatment of detainees at facilities like Winn.
Immigrant rights advocates are urging ICE to release detainees like Jose Lara Castellanos, a migrant from Honduras who has been experiencing severe health problems while detained at Winn. Despite repeated requests for release based on urgent medical concerns, ICE has refused, insisting on a $25,000 bond for his release. Dr. Kate Sugarman, a family medicine specialist, has reviewed Lara Castellanos’ case and believes it is critical, citing warning signs that require immediate specialist care. The advocacy coalition has been working to raise funds for his release, as they fear for his life if he remains in custody at Winn without proper medical attention. The ongoing struggle for humane treatment and medical care for detainees at facilities like Winn continues as advocates push for accountability and systemic change within the immigration detention system to prevent further tragedies.
