Detainees at Georgia ICE facility launch hunger strike ahead of inspection

Key points

• At least 73 detainees at the Folkston D. Ray James ICE processing center in Georgia have initiated a hunger strike this week.
• The strike was timed to coincide with a scheduled inspection of the facility on October 6, aiming to expose alleged poor conditions to oversight officials.
• Detainees, primarily asylum seekers from 13 countries including Russia, China, and Sudan, have been held for between 16 months and three years without criminal charges.
• A 45-person open letter signed by detainees demands release, protection from deportation, and family reunification, arguing that long-term detention without individualized justification is unfair.
• Allegations include substandard medical and dental care, moldy food, foul-smelling water, and threats of solitary confinement by GEO Group guards.
• Lead organizer Idris Makhmudov, a Russian asylum seeker, has reportedly been placed in solitary confinement this week.

Background

This protest follows a series of hunger strikes in ICE detention centers since the Trump administration took office in 2025. The Folkston facility, a former state prison opened in 1997, began detaining ICE custody individuals in 2018 and expanded its capacity last year under a new contract with GEO Group. Recent data shows approximately 2,200 people detained at the facility as of July 2026. The current strike is the latest in a pattern of protests at GEO Group-run facilities, including a previous strike at Delaney Hall in New Jersey that drew international attention. The broader context includes increased ICE arrests nationwide, including of migrants without criminal records, and a proposed $103,265 H-1B fee to fund the immigration system.

How outlets are covering it

The Guardian and Straight Arrow emphasize the scale of the hunger strike (73 participants) and the diversity of nationalities involved, highlighting the open letter signed by 45 detainees demanding release. The Moscow Times and Novaya Gazeta Europe focus on the Russian detainees' specific grievances, including a September 14 document detailing medical neglect, poor living conditions, and xenophobic behavior by staff. The Moscow Times notes that conditions improved slightly before the inspection, suggesting a possible attempt to influence inspectors. Novaya Gazeta Europe highlights specific incidents, such as a detainee losing consciousness during a blood draw and being held in a concrete room, and quotes a warden allegedly making xenophobic remarks. All sources agree that ICE and GEO Group did not respond to requests for comment, but they differ in emphasis: The Guardian and Straight Arrow focus on the broader protest and legal demands, while The Moscow Times and Novaya Gazeta Europe focus on the Russian detainees' specific experiences and the timing of the strike relative to the inspection.

Why it matters

The hunger strike highlights ongoing concerns about conditions and prolonged detention in ICE facilities, particularly those operated by private contractors like GEO Group. The timing of the strike, coinciding with an inspection, raises questions about the transparency and accountability of ICE detention facilities. The allegations of substandard medical care, poor living conditions, and hostile staff behavior, if substantiated, could have significant implications for the treatment of asylum seekers and other detainees in the U.S. immigration system. The strike also underscores the broader tensions between ICE and immigrant advocates, as well as the challenges faced by asylum seekers in navigating the U.S. immigration system. The lack of response from ICE and GEO Group to requests for comment further raises questions about the transparency and accountability of these agencies and contractors.

What to watch

The hunger strike is expected to continue, with detainees demanding release and improved conditions. The outcome of the October 6 inspection will be closely watched, as it may influence the conditions and treatment of detainees at the Folkston facility. ICE and GEO Group may face increased scrutiny from oversight bodies, including the DHS Office of Inspector General and the American Correctional Association, as a result of the allegations raised by detainees and their families. The broader implications of the strike may include increased attention to the conditions in ICE detention facilities and the role of private contractors in the U.S. immigration system. The strike may also influence public opinion and policy debates regarding the treatment of asylum seekers and other detainees in the U.S. immigration system.