Over 70 detainees at the CoreCivic ICE Otay Mesa Center have joined together to condemn the allegedly abusive and unlawful treatment they have received while in the detention centers.

The detainees wrote their letter in December and sent it to Freedom for Immigrants, a California based organization dedicated to “abolishing immigration detention worldwide”. The organization reportedly helps detained immigrants through legislative advocacy, holding the government accountable, and supporting immigrants in other ways.

According to CoreCivic complaints, detainees at the CoreCivic ICE Otay Mesa Center have been subject to medical negligence, racism, discrimination, and safety issues. Despite complaining about the issues, detainees’ concerns have allegedly not been addressed by the facility.

“This alarming pattern of neglect and abuse thrives in an environment where secrecy and isolation are the status quo, otherwise known as the U.S. immigration detention system,” Cynthia Galaz of Freedom for Immigrants told the Los Angeles Times.

More recently, one of the detainees who wrote in the letter reportedly called Galaz to inform her that he had been the victim of forced labor. He claims that he is forced to work extra shifts as a part of the facility’s labor program, despite being paid only $1 a day.

Detainee advocates argue that forced labor schemes take advantage of consumers and violate federal labor laws. Additionally, some advocates claim that forced labor at the CoreCivic ICE Otay Mesa Center and other facilities violates the United Nation’s International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights – a document ratified by the U.S. that prohibits slavery in “all forms.”

CoreCivic has denied these allegations and maintains that their facilities are safe and appropriate.

“Otay Mesa opened in 2015 and is a state-of-the art, LEED Silver certified facility that provides a safe, appropriate environment for detainees,” CoreCivic spokeswoman Amanda Gilchrist told the Los Angeles Times. “It is independently accredited by the American Correctional Association and is monitored on a daily basis by onsite ICE officials.”

CoreCivic Forced Labor

This is not the first time that CoreCivic has faced allegations of forced labor. According to The Guardian, detainees from their facilities all over the country have spoken out against the company, claiming that it takes advantage of their charges.

The for-profit prison company has been accused of using their inmates and detainees to do basic maintenance tasks. Some claim that the company utilizes the work of imprisoned individuals because they can get away with paying much less. This means that the facilities are still cleaned, laundry is still done, and food is still made but at a lower cost than a traditional employee. Unfortunately, these alleged forced labor schemes take advantage of inmates and detainees. In some cases, detainees may be paid less than $1 for a full day of work.

California CoreCivic Detention Centers

Employees and volunteers at these detention centers may be able to help these detainees by coming forward as witnesses.

There are several ICE detention centers run by CoreCivic in California, including:

• California City Correctional Facility (California City, CA)
• Otay Mesa Detention Center (San Diego, CA)
• San Diego Correctional Facility (San Diego, CA)

Individuals detained at these and other ICE facilities may have been subject to forced labor, meaning that they may be eligible to take legal action against CoreCivic. Employees, volunteers and advocates who have witnessed these practices may have valuable information that can help advance this forced labor lawsuit investigation.

This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.