Complaint and Request for Investigation of Medical Neglect at Cibola County Correctional Center

Written By Kevin Hopper
 

December 9, 2024

 

Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia
Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
US Department of Homeland Security
CRCLCompliance@hq.dhs.gov

Joseph V. Cuffari
Office of the Inspector General
US Department of Homeland Security
DHS-OIG.OfficePublicAffairs@oig.dhs.gov

Michelle Brané
Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman
US Department of Homeland Security
OIDO_Outreach@hq.dhs.gov

Gene Dodaro
Comptroller General of the United States
US Government Accountability Office
Fraud@gao.gov

 

The New Mexico Immigrant Law Center (NMILC) submits the instant complaint regarding a staggering and dangerous lack of medical care for migrants in ICE custody at the Cibola County Correctional Center (CCCC) in Milan, New Mexico. Shockingly, as recently as December 4, 2024, the DHS-ICE El Paso Field Office reported that only 55% of all medical positions at CCCC are filled. This employment shortage in CCCC creates extreme risks to the health and safety of asylum seekers detained there.

Despite clear regulatory requirements, medical care is universally inadequate for all types of medical vulnerabilities at CCCC.

NMILC has received countless complaints from migrants held at CCCC, illustrating a systematic pattern of medical neglect. Those detained at CCCC are flatly denied medical care or provided only superficial care, such as over-the-counter pain treatment or a blood pressure check – substantive medical treatment is nonexistent. NMILC has documented numerous migrants suffering from hernias, broken bones, severe allergic reactions, chronic illnesses, severe depression and anxiety, and skin and eye infections which were all left untreated despite repeated requests for medical care. Recently, a migrant discretionarily detained in ICE custody, despite an HIV diagnosis, was hospitalized while detained at CCCC. ICE formally released him from their custody after he experienced medical problems, and he died weeks later. These harms persist in violation of clear regulatory and constitutional protections.

Both the U.S. Constitution and the 2011 Performance-Based National Based Standards (PBNDS) set forth clear requirements to protect detained migrants, to which CoreCivic and ICE must adhere at CCCC and TCDF. Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97 (1976); See PBNDS 2011, Sec. 4.3.V, at 260 (stating that people in ICE detention should receive “medically necessary and [1] appropriate medical, dental and mental health care and pharmaceutical services,” as well as “timely responses to medical complaints” among other requirements.) The following is a detailed account of the medical neglect and subsequent harm which continues to impact detained migrants at CCCC.

Men are denied access to even the most basic medical care, leading to dangerous and preventable complications, including death. Despite many requests for medical attention, disclosing

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Kevin Hopper

The power of words and pictures has always been immense. From cave paintings and stained glass to the advents of the printing press, photography, television and of course, the Internet.

Words and pictures are everywhere. Lucky for me, I have a talent for crafting and combining them into powerful and effective communication.

I grew up fascinated with photography, then fine art and graphic design. I also stumbled upon my writing talent when a college professor accused me of plagiarism (the highest form of flattery?). A career in advertising seemed the obvious track, so that was my initial route. However, my diverse skillset and ravenous appetite for learning new applications, tools and programs pushed me into journalism, art direction, digital publishing, UX/UI, AI, etc. This constant technological multiplicity keeps me both engaged, challenged, and admittedly, a bit overwhelmed.

Yet what remains constant? Words and pictures.

Regardless of industry, words and pictures are important. This is something that every successful company demands, and armed with the ability to craft both into effective communication, it is a thrill for me to perform.

My career path has been far from standard, but it has opened my creative mind to a multitude of applications and perspectives. Along the way, I have worked with and for some extraordinary people from all walks of life. I celebrate diversity in all forms and continue to seek and solve new communication problems via my design entity Hoppervision.

When time allows, I create artwork, take photos, cook impulsively, collect vintage furniture and snowboard when possible.

Let’s talk creativity in terms of solving your communications issues…

…over a taut espresso, of course!

https://hoppervision.com
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