Asylum-seeker detained during hearing faces medical neglect in ICE facility

Joan Paul Alcivar De La Cruz fled Ecuador due to persecution and sought asylum in the United States. During his asylum hearing, he was detained by immigration officials, part of a broader crackdown on illegal immigration initiated by the Trump administration, which has faced legal challenges. His wife, Samara De La Cruz, reported that after his detention, he was held in a New York facility where he was reportedly provided only minimal sustenance—a sandwich and a bottle of water each day. Samara expressed deep concern over his dwindling health, stating that he has been denied critical medication for a liver condition. The Department of Homeland Security has responded to these allegations, claiming all detainees are provided with appropriate meals and medical care. However, Samara articulated that this was not the case for her husband, as he had repeatedly requested hospital treatment but claims that his calls for help were ignored. Even after being transferred to another facility, her fears grew for his well-being, fearing he might die without proper medical attention, compounded by the trauma of possible deportation back to Ecuador. In another case, a New Jersey woman known as Vanessa expressed anguish over her partner’s recent detention at Delaney Hall, following a raid on a warehouse where more than a dozen migrant workers were arrested. She recalled the moment he called her during his lunch break, urgently requesting legal assistance as ICE agents arrived. Vanessa described the emotional distress that the raid brought upon families, emphasizing the fear and uncertainty that now permeate their lives. Vanessa stated the abhorrent conditions her partner faces in the detention facility, highlighting that he suffers from cold and hunger, receiving inadequate food. This situation raises broader questions about the humanitarian impact of ICE detentions on the migrant community and the handling of individuals' health and safety within the system. Both cases reflect critical concerns regarding the treatment of asylum-seekers and detained migrants amid ongoing immigration policies and enforcement actions.