Inside the Dark Reality of US Immigration Detention
According to The Guardian, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws, including detention and deportation. Under the immigration policies of the Trump administration, ICE has intensified its operations, sparking a deep debate about human rights.
One of the most alarming cases is that of Gabar Choli, a 40-year-old Kurdish filmmaker and activist who sought asylum after receiving death threats. His story sheds light on extreme practices used in detention centers.
The Hunger Strike and the System's Response
Choli was arrested on February 25, 2025 during one of his routine check-ins with ICE. After being transferred to the Port Isabel Processing Center in Texas, he began a hunger strike on March 24, 2025 to protest mistreatment and the lack of progress in his immigration case.
Instead of addressing his demands, authorities sought court orders to subject him to force-feeding. For nearly eight months, Choli was restrained with shackles by guards from the private company Akima Global Services while medical staff violently inserted nasogastric tubes.
Physical and Psychological Consequences
Choli described the process as inhumane torture. He suffered internal nasal tears, vomiting blood, severe diarrhea, and even rib injuries from the force used by guards. On one occasion, the tube was incorrectly inserted into his lung, causing him to nearly drown.
Medical experts like Dr. Chanelle Diaz from Columbia University told The Guardian that this procedure, repeated more than 100 times, 'likely amounts to torture,' violating patient autonomy principles.
Lack of Legal Representation
A alarming aspect of the case is that Choli had no legal representation during the hearings where federal Judge Rolando Olvera authorized the force-feeding. Olvera denied Choli's request for a lawyer, arguing that civil proceedings do not guarantee one. According to sources from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), between January 2025 and August 2026, at least 18 hunger strikers were subjected to court orders for involuntary treatment.
Resilience and Recovered Freedom
Finally, ICE deported Choli to Canada on January 6, 2026, where he was able to reunite with his siblings and begin his recovery. Although he suffers physical and emotional aftereffects, his spirit remains intact. He had to relearn how to eat solid food after months of intubation.
Today, from his freedom, Choli decided to break the silence with the hope that his testimony will inspire change and bring comfort to those still in detention. 'The price was my life, my health... but this is the price you pay for standing up for what is right,' he declared with courage, showing that the light of justice and hope can emerge even after the darkest moments.