ICE transfers detainees to Nevada facilities as retaliation for complaints, advocacy group alleges

An advocacy group has alleged that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has transferred detainees to Nevada facilities as a retaliatory measure following complaints and advocacy.

According to the nonprofit organization, Nevada Advocates for Planned Parenthood Affiliates (NAPPA), ICE has transferred individuals to Nevada detention centers in response to the advocacy of detainees and their families, as well as criticism of ICE’s policies by human rights organizations.

NAPPA claims to have obtained evidence of ICE’s retaliatory actions through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, which revealed that “in some cases, ICE has transferred detainees to Nevada as a punitive measure, citing ‘advocacy’ or ‘complaints’ as a reason for the transfer.”

The advocacy group further alleges that ICE has carried out these transfers in an effort to deter detainees from speaking out about the treatment they receive in detention centers, as well as discourage their families from engaging in advocacy activities.

NAPPA has called on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to investigate ICE’s actions and take steps to ensure that such retaliatory transfers do not take place in the future.

“Given the serious nature of these allegations, we urge the Department of Homeland Security to immediately investigate ICE’s retaliatory transfers and take steps to ensure that detainees are not being targeted for their advocacy or complaints,” said NAPPA Executive Director Cecilia Martinez.

Martinez went on to say that, “ICE must be held accountable for its actions and ensure that all detainees are treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their immigration status.”

ICE has not yet responded to the allegations, but the agency has previously denied any retaliatory intent in its transfers.