Immigrants Denounce Constant ICE Transfers Between States

Detained immigrants denounce frequent transfers between ICE centers. Some claim to have passed through up to 8 facilities in just over 2 months. The transfers affect family contact, medical care, and preparation of immigration cases. They also hinder the work of lawyers and civil organizations.

An investigation by N+Univision compiled testimonies from people transferred between different states. The DHS maintains that decisions are made case by case and in accordance with the law. The phenomenon is not new, but advocates claim it increased during Donald Trump’s second term. An analysis by The Marshall Project recorded nearly 41,700 out-of-state transfers during the first year of the administration.

Why Does ICE Move Detainees?

ICE explains that transfers respond to operational needs. The agency considers bed availability, security, court appearances, and expulsion processes. In a response cited by N+Univision, the DHS said ICE makes custody decisions daily. It also assured that it works to transfer detainees to their final destination.

However, lawyers question whether movements are always necessary. They claim that some detainees end up far from their families, their documents, and their legal representatives. An investigation by The Marshall Project found that out-of-state transfers increased during the first year of the new administration.

Additionally, transfers made within the first 24 hours doubled compared to the previous period. The analysis also noted that the number of people transferred 5 times or more tripled. Those figures show a pattern that can cause disorientation and procedural delays.

How Do Transfers Affect Legal Defense?

Ricardo Hernández Navarrete, an 18-year-old Colombian man, reported passing through 8 centers in just over 2 months. His journey included Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. The young man was detained alongside his mother. According to his testimony, he faced 5 immigration hearings and in 3 of them could not have his lawyer present.

The transfers also affected his graduation. He regained his freedom just 48 hours before the ceremony, after months of uncertainty. The case of Armando, a fictional name, was even more prolonged. The Cuban citizen passed through 7 centers in 5 months before being deported to Mexico.

His itinerary included Florida, Texas, California, Louisiana, Arizona, and Colorado. The detainee said he had difficulty understanding documents because he did not receive interpreters or translated forms. The organization LULAC states that it frequently observes transfers from Florida and Texas to Louisiana. Its director, Juan Proaño, believes that these movements can distance detainees from their lawyers.

Attorney Ezequiel Hernández also questioned the practice. According to his analysis, each transfer requires