In the quiet town of Portland, Maine, a woman held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) described her time in custody as harsh and degrading. She alleges that the jail was uncomfortably cold, that requests for extra blankets or bedding were denied, and that the food provided was insufficient, sometimes limited to bread and jelly or uncooked oats. She reported losing significant weight during her detention.

The woman also said she was given ill-fitting jail shoes that caused her to trip and sustain an injury, yet she never received medical attention despite repeated requests. She described verbal abuse from guards and an intimidating environment during legal calls.

Her case highlights broader concerns about ICE detention conditions across the United States, where detainees have reported limited access to medical care, proper nutrition, and humane treatment. Following criticism from local authorities, ICE removed detainees from the Portland facility in late January, transferring them first to a Massachusetts facility and later to a detention center in Louisiana.

Officials at the Maine jail defended their practices, noting that the facility meets required standards, separates male and female detainees, and maintains a secure environment. Advocates argue that the conditions described by detainees underscore systemic issues in federal immigration detention, where confinement can be punitive even for those awaiting legal proceedings.

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Sources

The Maine Monitor Bangor Daily News Sun Journal