Lawsuit challenges conditions at Indiana immigration detention facility
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in northern Indiana, says people held at the Miami facility face inadequate medical care, unsanitary cells and punitive treatment. The maximum-security prison in Bunker Hill houses both state prisoners and immigration detainees; it became an immigration detention site last year during the Trump administration’s expansion of detention capacity there.
One plaintiff, Cynthia Acevedo, a Guatemalan woman with epilepsy, says she has suffered repeated seizures after being given medication inconsistently and switched to a less effective treatment. The complaint also says she reported a sexual assault but was not promptly examined or given a rape kit, HIV testing or preventive medication.
Another plaintiff, Sergei Vasenin, alleges he spent about nine weeks in solitary confinement, often confined for nearly the entire day in a cold cell. The third, Kemoye Muslar, says sewage flooded his cell for three days. The lawsuit also describes racial slurs, excessive force and delays in responding to detainees’ medical and mental-health needs.
Two people have died in custody at the facility this year: Tuan Van Bui, 55, and Lorth Sim, 59. Attorneys for the detainees say the conditions violate their rights and demand accountability from state and federal officials. The Department of Homeland Security was not quick to respond to a request for comment.
Detainees’ lawsuit exposes human cost of Trump detention expansion
A lawsuit over conditions at Indiana’s Miami detention facility lays bare the human consequences of expanding immigration detention, with three detainees alleging serious medical neglect, unsanitary cells and punitive treatment. The facility’s immigration capacity was expanded last year under the Trump administration.
Cynthia Acevedo, a Guatemalan woman with epilepsy, says inconsistent access to medication has left her suffering repeated seizures. The complaint says that after she reported a sexual assault, officials delayed responding and failed to provide an examination, a rape kit, HIV testing or preventive medication. Another detainee, Kemoye Muslar, alleges sewage remained in his cell for three days.
The lawsuit also describes Sergei Vasenin spending about nine weeks in solitary confinement, in a cold cell for most of each day. It alleges racial slurs, excessive force and failures to address medical and mental-health needs. Two people, Tuan Van Bui, 55, and Lorth Sim, 59, died in custody at the facility this year.
Civil rights attorneys say the conditions violate detainees’ rights and call for state and federal accountability. The Department of Homeland Security was not quick to respond to a request for comment. The allegations raise urgent questions about a detention system expanded as the administration pursues aggressive deportation policies.
Lawsuit challenges Indiana immigration detention conditions
A lawsuit filed in federal court challenges conditions at Indiana’s Miami facility, where state prisoners and immigration detainees are held. Three detainees allege medical neglect, dirty cells, abuse and prolonged solitary confinement, claims that now face a legal test.
The complaint says Cynthia Acevedo, a Guatemalan woman with epilepsy, experienced repeated seizures after inconsistent access to medication and a switch to a less effective treatment. She also alleges that officials delayed responding to her report of sexual assault and did not provide a rape kit, HIV testing or preventive medication.
Sergei Vasenin says he spent about nine weeks in solitary confinement, often in a cold cell for nearly the whole day. Kemoye Muslar alleges sewage flooded his cell for three days. The lawsuit further accuses facility staff of using racial slurs and excessive force and failing to respond adequately to health needs.
Two detainees, Tuan Van Bui, 55, and Lorth Sim, 59, died at the facility this year. The groups bringing the case say state and federal officials should be held accountable; the Department of Homeland Security was not quick to respond to a request for comment. The allegations concern the conduct and management of a facility that serves both state and federal detention purposes.
Reported by Chicago Sun-Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer.
