Russians held at U.S. immigration detention center plan hunger strike over poor conditions

Fourteen Russians are facing poor conditions at an immigration detention center in Georgia, and they plan to begin a hunger strike. Their collective complaint, obtained by Vot Tak, Agentstvo, and The Insider, highlights their grievances. The detainees allege subpar medical care, poor-quality food, cold cells, noise in common areas, and limited communication with lawyers.

Many are awaiting immigration court proceedings over their status. The Russians claim the facility's warden has expressed his intent to deport them, and that they feel they cannot defend themselves. The detention center, now an immigrant facility, was previously a federal prison. The organization RADR notes that conditions in American immigration detention centers are generally harsh, but some are more so than at the Georgia facility.

The Russians aim to be transferred to a better facility, and they plan to start a hunger strike on October 6.