News Summary
A civil rights complaint has been filed against the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center, alleging systemic abuse of detainees, including sexual assault and denial of medical care. The complaint, supported by several human rights organizations, accuses former staff of targeting LGBTQ+ individuals and inflicting harsh punishments. Calls for the closure of the facility and thorough investigations into reported abuses are growing amid ongoing federal inquiries.
Basile, Louisiana — Civil Rights Complaint Alleges Systemic Abuse at ICE Processing Center
A civil rights complaint has been filed with the Department of Homeland Security against the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center in Basile, Louisiana. The complaint alleges that a former assistant warden, prison officers, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) employees engaged in systemic abuse of a woman and three transgender individuals from 2023 to 2025.
The Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization, the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana, the National Immigration Project, and the Southeast Dignity Not Detention coalition are representing the detainees in this complaint. They outline serious allegations including sexual assault, forced labor, denial of medical care, and retaliatory solitary confinement while individuals awaited deportation.
Details of Allegations
According to the complaint, the facility, which is female-only but also houses detainees of various gender identities, is operated by GEO Group Inc. It is claimed that the facility violated civil and human rights as well as national standards, reflecting a “systemic pattern of abuse.”
ICE officials, facility administration, and GEO Group were not available for comment on these allegations. The complaint specifies that former assistant warden Manuel Reyes targeted LGBTQ+ detainees, coercing them into an unapproved “night shift cleaning crew,” allegedly used as a form of punishment based on gender identity. Reyes is accused of stalking, verbally harassing, and sexually assaulting detainees, including forcing one, identified as Jane Doe, to perform sexual acts under threat. The sexual abuse reportedly took place nearly every day over a four-month period.
Furthermore, complaints filed under the Official Prison Rape Elimination Act by detainees often went unanswered or were classified as unsubstantiated by ICE. At least one detainee reportedly faced retaliation for submitting a complaint, such as being beaten by officers and placed in solitary confinement. Two detainees also reported being denied medical care for serious issues, including chemical burns and access to seizure medication.
Investigations and Calls for Action
Reyes left his position as assistant warden in July 2024, and it is still unclear whether he remains employed by GEO Group. The FBI has interviewed several detainees regarding the allegations of abuse within the facility, with three individuals facing retaliation after speaking to investigators.
In light of these allegations, the organizations behind the complaint are demanding the closure of the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center and calling for a thorough investigation into the reported abuses. In 2024, the ACLU of Louisiana had already urged for an independent probe into the ICE New Orleans Field Office, citing reports of inhumane conditions across Louisiana’s detention facilities.
Moreover, a previous report from Yale Law School shed light on substandard living conditions in the center, mentioning inadequate food provisions, hygiene products, and a hostile environment for detainees. The state of Louisiana currently has nine immigration detention centers, and concerns have been voiced about their remote locations, which may hinder access to necessary support and resources for those detained.
Conclusion
The allegations brought forth in this civil rights complaint highlight significant concerns regarding the treatment of detainees at the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center. As investigations continue, the calls for improved conditions and accountability in immigration detention facilities remain paramount.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- KADN News
- Wikipedia: Civil Rights
- KLFY News
- Google Search: ICE detention abuse allegations
- ArkLaMiss News
- Google Scholar: ICE detention complaints
- Shreveport Times
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Immigration Detention
- CNN
- Google News: Immigration detention abuse
Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
