The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) attempted to subject at least 10 hunger strikers in immigrant detention to involuntary medical procedures in 2025 and 2026.
During 2025 and 2026, officials performed involuntary medical procedures on at least three detained immigrants and likely subjected two more to the treatment.
In six cases reviewed by the Guardian, detained immigrants lacked legal representation during court proceedings regarding involuntary medical procedures.
Specific instances of forced feeding
At the Port Isabel service processing center in Los Fresnos, Texas, a Kurdish asylum seeker was subjected to force-feeding for nearly eight months between May 2025 and his deportation.
Another hunger striker at the same Port Isabel facility was subjected to involuntary medical procedures for nearly six months between September 2025 and March 2026.
At the Krome service processing center in Miami, Florida, a detainee was subjected to forced medical procedures for nearly three months, starting three days before Donald Trump's 2025 inauguration.
Two hunger strikers at the Northwest ICE processing center in Washington state and the Montgomery processing center in Texas were likely subjected to forced medical procedures.
Five hunger strikers ended their hunger strike after US officials sought court orders for forced medical procedures.
Official justifications and legal context
ICE officers argue that forced medical procedures are necessary to prevent hunger-striking detainees from starving to death or suffering medical problems.
DHS officials justified forced medical procedures to maintain “good order” in detention centers.
The US attorney’s office for the western district of Washington confirmed one ICE forced medical procedure case in its jurisdiction since January 1, 2025, involving a Canadian man.
A spokesperson for the same US attorney’s office stated that the office represents ICE in these cases.
Ethical concerns and costs
Dr. Wynia also noted that the idea of health professionals serving as agents of the state, rather than protectors of patients, has a notorious history.
