Revealed: Trump administration forced treatment on hunger striker in ICE detention

Key Points:

• The Trump administration forcibly treated at least one hunger striker in immigrant detention through measures such as force feeding, hydration, forced urinary catheterization, or involuntary blood draws, according to an ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC) document reviewed by the Guardian.
• The IHSC report also revealed that at least seven detainees were on hunger strike as of February, with ICE budgeting over $168,000 for external medical care related to hunger strike patients for fiscal year 2026.
• Advocates and attorneys have reported retaliation against hunger strikers, including solitary confinement, threats with teargas, and disciplinary actions, while ICE officials have denied detainees were striking or facing retaliation.
• Forced treatment requires a federal judge’s order, but advocates say due process is minimal, and the procedure can cause serious medical complications, including pain, gagging, infections, and organ perforation.
• Hunger strikes and force-feeding gained national attention during the Trump administration, notably with a 2019 El Paso detention center incident and a 2022 video showing force feeding of an Indian asylum seeker, which drew widespread criticism and led to the release of several hunger strikers.