‘What they’re doing qualifies as torture’: new details of ICE force-feeding revealed
A report reveals that ICE has subjected detained hunger strikers to involuntary force-feeding, a practice human rights groups characterize as torture. The investigation highlights specific cases involving immigrants from Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Saudi Arabia.
Why it matters
The use of invasive medical procedures on detainees raises serious ethical and human rights concerns regarding the treatment of individuals in immigration custody.
Rights groups and medical experts warn more people will be subjected to involuntary medical procedures. Composite: Guardian/Getty/US government Rights groups and medical experts warn more people will be subjected to involuntary medical procedures. Composite: Guardian/Getty/US government Force-fed by ICE US immigration ‘What they’re doing qualifies as torture’: new details of ICE force-feeding revealed Exclusive: cases of Afghan man, Ukrainian man and Saudi woman show repeated nasogastric tube insertions and lack of legal representation
About this content José Olivares Wed 5 Aug 2026 06.00 EDT Last modified on Wed 5 Aug 2026 06.01 EDT Share Prefer the Guardian on Google One hunger striker in an immigration detention center was force-fed for almost six months.
One detained immigrant with mental health problems was about to be force-fed, until his attorney intervened and stopped the process.
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