Living conditions at immigrant detention centers in Texas were the focus for many members of Congress and human rights groups due to policies enacted by the Trump administration. Inspection reports pointed out the ongoing dismal situation. There was an increased number of illegal immigrants arrested near the Texas border, and overcrowding in facilities led to an alleged disregard for hygiene and personal space in these facilities. Official reports stated overcrowding of more than two times the declared capacity. These facilities fall under ICE, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement department of the federal government and the onus of providing reasonable living conditions lied with them.

Some audits and inspections continued to show disregard for basic human rights and violations of the worst kind. Many claim that there is informational gatekeeping involved and that there is more to the story than what can be read in #FOIA reports. Audits of privately owned detention centers were not meeting ICE’s detainee criteria and had unhygienic facilities, overcrowding, improper food handling, expired or moldy food, and ill fitting uniforms given to detainees. Detainees had limited access to outdoor recreation and at times were put in handcuffs and searched. 

However, many people do not think these were cruel conditions. Many considered it fine, since it was a temporary situation, conditions created due to an increased demand for detention space, not an intentional policy. Some also believed that  if detainees entered the United States legally and followed the proper immigration process, they would not be breaking the law and therefore subject to less than ideal circumstances in the detention centers. Also this “punishment” is not arbitrarily given out - all detainees were subject to the same living conditions. 

The Biden administration has put ICE on a tight leash, implementing new policies and a new direction; there are now thousands of empty beds in these detention centers and 90% less minors in Border Patrol custody.  Though with the 20 year record high numbers of immigrants coming across the borders the Biden administration is not meeting their own guidelines of holding for less than 72 hours.

There is still an important question for debate, did the immigrant living conditions at #ICE detention centers under the old Trump administration really qualify as cruel punishment?