I write on behalf of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida to call your attention to the urgent situation faced by individuals detained in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Baker County Detention Facility ("Baker"). The ACLU of Florida began investigating the conditions at Baker this spring after receiving an increased number of complaints on a wide range of topics. To date, our investigation has included a tour of the facility, confidential legal interviews with over 25 detained individuals, and a review of medical records and public records. The investigation has made clear that Baker is presently violating multiple ICE standards and policies, as well as the constitutional rights of those detained at the facility.
This letter describes several of the most pressing issues we have discovered at Baker, along with a non-exhaustive list of potential solutions. We are willing and able to provide additional information and evidence of these violations and to engage in further discussions about appropriate next steps. Given the urgency of the situation, however, we ask that ICE take immediate action to improve conditions at Baker within 20 days of the date of this letter.
Read the full letter below.
