Lawsuit claims two Maryland mothers were detained in ‘inhumane’ ICE conditions in Baltimore

Two Maryland mothers who have been living in Maryland for more than ten years are currently in ICE custody under what their attorney describes as “inhumane conditions.” The women, originally from El Salvador and Guatemala, have U.S.-born children and were detained during routine check-ins with ICE. They were supposed to be granted relief from deportation but were unexpectedly held in Baltimore holding cells, violating ICE rules that stipulate detainees should not be held for more than 12 hours.

The lawsuit, filed by the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights, alleges that the women were held for longer than the allowed time in unhygienic conditions without proper access to food, water, sleep, or communication with their families. Attorney Austin Rose emphasized the gravity of the situation outside a Baltimore courthouse, stating that ICE’s repeated detention of individuals without cause is a major issue that needs to be addressed.

In Maryland, there is no official ICE detention center, which often leads to detainees being transferred to facilities outside the state. According to former ICE director Matt Elliston, the 12-hour hold guideline is a goal, but sometimes logistical challenges result in individuals being held for longer periods. While ICE maintains that detainees receive necessary care, the lawsuit paints a starkly different picture of the conditions inside the Baltimore ICE field office.

The lawsuit claims that one woman was detained for 60 hours, while the other was held for 36 hours before being moved to facilities in New Jersey, Arizona, and Colorado. Despite the U.S. questioning the case’s jurisdiction in Maryland, the judge ruled in favor of hearing the case locally. The judge’s orders will ensure that the women remain in the U.S., emphasizing that the ruling applies specifically to this case and not to all immigration cases nationwide.

In response to inquiries by the I-Team, ICE and the Department of Homeland Security reiterated their commitment to providing comprehensive medical care to individuals in custody. This includes thorough medical, dental, and mental health screenings upon arrival, full health assessments within 14 days, and access to medical treatment and emergency care. The allegations of inhumane conditions and extended detention periods brought forth by the lawsuit continue to shed light on the challenges faced by immigrants in ICE custody despite the agency’s official policies.