Adelanto, CA — Following an oversight visit to the Adelanto immigration detention facility, Congressman Raul Ruiz described the conditions inside as “prison-like,” citing them as a key reason behind his recently introduced Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in ICE and CBP Custody Act.
Ruiz’s visit to the Adelanto facility comes amid growing national concern over conditions in immigration detention centers. According to federal data and advocacy reports, more than 56 people died in U.S. immigration custody last year, making it one of the deadliest periods for detainees in the past two decades. Many of the deaths have been linked to delayed medical care, overcrowding, and systemic neglect.
“What I saw today was essentially a prison,” Ruiz said following the visit. “From concrete walls and metal bunks to toilets without basic privacy, the environment is designed for punishment, not for the humane treatment of people who are awaiting civil proceedings, not serving criminal sentences.”
During his tour, Ruiz identified several conditions he said reflect broader, nationwide issues within immigration detention facilities:
- Restricted sleep conditions: Detainees are subject to a mandatory “lights-on” schedule beginning at 4:00 a.m., allowing for only about five hours of darkness for rest.
- Lack of privacy: Open toilets are located within shared, multi-person cells, eliminating personal privacy and raising concerns about dignity and sanitation.
- Limited transparency: Facility officials did not allow Ruiz to speak directly with detainees, despite his status as a Member of Congress. Ruiz characterized the restriction as an effort to shield the public from the day-to-day realities faced by individuals in custody.
Ruiz said the visit reinforced the urgency of his proposed legislation, which seeks to establish enforceable humanitarian and public health standards for individuals held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
The bill would require initial medical and mental health screenings by licensed professionals within 12 hours of a detainee’s arrival. It also mandates guaranteed access to basic hygiene items, including menstrual products and diapers, and sets minimum standards for sleep, nutrition, medical care, and outdoor recreation.
Supporters of the legislation argue that immigration detention is a civil process and should not subject individuals to punitive or dangerous conditions. Ruiz said the goal of the bill is to prevent further loss of life and ensure that federal custody meets basic standards of human dignity.
“This is about accountability and humanity,” Ruiz said. “No one should suffer or die because basic medical care or humane conditions were denied while in government custody.”