April 22, 2025

Inside overwhelmed ICE detention centers

Inside overwhelmed ICE detention centers
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Inside overwhelmed ICE detention centers

As the Trump administration aggressively pushes to deport more migrants, detention centers have started to reach or exceed capacity. Some detainees report being forced to sleep on the floor or wait for access to medical care and other basic necessities.

América Platt was detained at Prairieland – an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Alvarado, Texas. She spent four sleepless nights on the floor because there weren’t enough beds. She had her period when she arrived, and a fever from an ear infection – but she said it took hours to access medical care or even a sanitary pad. 


“You’re stripped from your humanity,” she told investigative reporter Doug MacMillan. 


Today, producer Laura Benshoff speaks with Doug about the conditions in overcrowded ICE detention centers

This episode was produced by Ariel Plotnick and edited by Maggie Penman. It was mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Evelyn Larrubia. 

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