“These People are Torturing Me” #DetentionKills Transparency Initiative FOIA Journal Vol. 2022-6

How #FOIA uncovered the first-ever public video of force-feeding in an ICE Detention Center, and what Ajay Kumar - the survivor has to say about it.

Ajay Kumar fled India and sought asylum in the United States. For that act, the U.S. placed him in detention centers. Some operated for profit by private contractors, some owned by the U.S. government. When he protested denial of religious accommodations to which U.S. law entitles him, ICE placed him in solitary confinement. And when his fear of torture by solitary confinement finally exceeded his fear of torture in India, he chose to stop eating. He would die here or be free here. But he would not give up and die in India.

That’s when ICE intervened with a U.S. federal district court. It wanted the Court to order Kumay force-fed. Otherwise, he would die in ICE custody. Why couldn’t ICE let him out, so he’d eat? Doesn’t matter. ICE has the authority to keep detaining him. So it will.

Despite expert medical testimony that the protocol ICE proposed was contrary to professional standards and ethics, the Court allowed ICE to go forward with force-feeding. Like prolonged (>14 days) solitary confinement, UN human rights experts call force-feeding “torture”. It’s consequently banned by the Convention Against Torture, to with the U.S. is a signatory. But that didn’t stop ICE.

Enter Jose Olivares and The Intercept. They used the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to get the proof of what happened, and show the world what happens behind the secure perimeter.

They sought, fought, and obtained the video ICE made of its torture of Ajay Kumar. Video Producer Travis Mannon then edited it with an interview Ajay graciously granted.

Fourteen minutes of your time.

A world-shifting look into the lived reality of detention.

Turning to the Irwin hearing & report now. Will post additional FOIA thoughts on the video soon. 9:35am PST.