In the United States, a former detainee of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Andranik Grigoryan, has filed lawsuits alleging severe mistreatment during his detention at the Miami Correctional Facility in Indiana. Grigoryan, who was detained from December 30 to May 15, claims that he suffered a seizure due to missed doses of his anti-seizure medication, Keppra, which he had relied on for years to manage his epilepsy. The lawsuit against Centurion Health, the facility's medical provider, highlights staffing shortages that disrupted access to necessary medications, leading to Grigoryan's medical crisis.
On January 22, after missing his morning medication, Grigoryan experienced a severe seizure in his cell, resulting in a head injury that left him lying in a pool of blood. Medical staff were reportedly absent when he needed his medication, and he was later taken to a local hospital for treatment. Upon his return to the facility, Grigoryan alleges that correctional officers, despite being aware of his condition, ordered him to prepare for a transfer to another housing unit. He was still suffering from the effects of the seizure, which made it difficult for him to stand.
The second lawsuit filed by Grigoryan claims that after returning from the hospital, he was pepper-sprayed by correctional officers when he questioned the transfer order. The complaint states that he did not pose a threat and was not physically resisting, yet the officers used force against him, causing him intense pain and discomfort. Following the incident, Grigoryan was not provided with a shower to wash off the pepper spray, forcing him to attempt to clean himself in a sink instead.
Both lawsuits allege violations of Grigoryan's rights under the 14th Amendment, with the suit against Centurion Health focusing on inadequate medical care due to staffing issues, while the suit against the correctional officers addresses the unjustified use of force. The ACLU of Indiana, which represents Grigoryan, emphasizes that he was entitled to proper medical care and protection from excessive force while detained as a civil immigration detainee. This case highlights ongoing concerns regarding the treatment of detainees in ICE facilities, particularly regarding access to medical care and the use of force by correctional staff.
