Confusion and uncertainty at two immigration detention facilities in Virginia have detainees worried about the spread of COVID-19, even as officials report no confirmed cases in either facility.
An entire dorm room of detainees was held in isolation at the privately owned facility in Farmville because of possible exposure to the virus, although none were tested. Their 14 day quarantine period ended today, April 7th.
There are currently more than 500 detainees held at the facility, operated by Immigration Centers of America. The facility’s operator directed questions to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE.
A spokeswoman for ICE says one person in one of the facility’s open dorm rooms had a fever. He was placed in medical isolation and the rest of the detainees in the dorm, 77 men, were isolated for two weeks. Two other detainees also had flu-like symptoms and were separately held in the medical unit. They no longer are experiencing symptoms and are back with the regular population.
None were tested for COVID-19. A spokeswoman says they did not meet the CDC guidelines for testing.
Immigration attorneys in the region reported hearing news of the quarantine last week from their clients and clients’ families, many who were confused and scared. Some detainees went on hunger strike.
The same fears permeate Virginia’s second ICE detention center in Caroline County. Attorney Alia Boltakke says one client there told her he didn’t think facility officials were taking the issue seriously.
“He is fearful he and many could contract the virus,” said Boltakke during a recent phone interview. “He specifically stated to me ‘My wife and children will be unable to care for themselves if I die,’.”
In response, a spokeswoman referred us to their website which says “the health, welfare and safety of detainees is one of the agency’s highest priorities,” and that the agency is reviewing health guidance daily and will “continue to update protocols to remain consistent with CDC guidance.”
270 people are currently at the former jail in Caroline. According to ICE, six people are currently being isolated there because of recent travel or cold symptoms. There has been testing at that facility, although no one’s tested positive.
Immigrant advocates warn that should the virus make its way into either facility it would be hard to control. Detainees in Farmville live in large open dorm rooms, some with as many as 100 beds. They shower and use the bathroom in the same open space.
“We’ve been hearing from clients and from family members of detainees at Farmville that there’s little protective equipment being used by guards,” said the Legal Aid Justice Center’s Nicholas Marritz. “It’s been hard to get information because the facility has been closed to public visits.”
Last summer there was a mumps outbreak at the facility.
“ICE Farmville already has a very poor track record with infection control,” wrote Legal Aid Justice Center’s Executive Director Angela Ciolfi in a recent letter to state officials.
In that letter, Ciolfi requested the state inspect both facilities to make sure “they have adequate infection controls in place, and adequate medical facilities… should a large number become infected.”
A spokeswoman for Governor Ralph Northam says the administration has been in close contact with the Legal Aid Justice Center on the issue and that he's "committed to the health and safety of everyone in the Commonwealth, including those in federal ICE facilities."
Other advocates are asking ICE to both release detainees, some of whom haven’t committed any crime beyond being in the country illegally, and to stop current operations. Advocates have had reports of continued raids in Virginia as recently as mid March.
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.
