Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
'Bloody Noses, Burning Eyes': Advocates File Complaint Over Chemical Disinfectant Use At Adelanto Detention Center
Immigrant detainees are held at an immigration detention facility in Adelanto, Calif.
(
David McNew
/
Getty Images
)
Advocacy groups for immigrant detainees have filed a civil rights complaint with the federal Department of Homeland Security, alleging detainees have been subject to chemical exposure at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center in San Bernardino County.
The facility currently holds about 1,100 detained immigrants, including asylum seekers and people who are fighting deportation.
Since May 11, several detainees have reported to advocates that the frequent use of a disinfectant used at the facility has caused people to have eye irritation, bloody noses, and cough up blood.
The Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice and Freedom for Immigrants filed a complaint with the Department of Homeland Security's Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties on Thursday.
According to the complaint, detainees reported that the disinfectant, HDQ Neutral, was being sprayed around housing units about every 30 minutes. According to the manufacturer's safety sheet, the disinfectant should be used "only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area."
In an emailed statement, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said: "Disinfectant formulations used at Adelanto are compliant with detention standards, registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and used according to manufacture instruction for routine cleaning and maintenance of the facility. Any assertion or claim to the contrary is false."
Sponsored message
The agency said it is "committed to maintaining the highest facility standards of cleanliness and sanitation, safe work practices, and control of hazardous substances and equipment."
According to the agency, one ICE employee and one ICE contract employee have tested positive for COVID-19 at the facility so far.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
