Cuban immigrant Ernesto Martínez Feria has accused a Texas detention center of negligence after reportedly suffering a heart attack while held in solitary confinement in El Paso. This incident occurred following a 12-day hunger strike he initiated. In exclusive interviews with Univision, Martínez previously claimed he was assaulted by immigration officers for refusing to cross the border back into Mexico.
During a conversation aired by the media outlet, when asked if the heart attack took place in solitary confinement, Martínez affirmed “yes,” and mentioned feeling weak as he continues to recover. He stated that he is currently on medication to manage his blood pressure and heart rate. Martínez also disclosed that he experienced a previous heart attack at the Alligator Alcatraz in Florida, and two more at the El Paso processing center.
In his initial testimony, he recounted being beaten by agents when he resisted crossing into Mexico for deportation. This case highlights ongoing complaints within the same facility. Another detainee, Henry Mantilla, who claims to have been held for nearly four months in El Paso while seeking asylum, reported being assaulted by guards during an altercation he insists he wasn't involved in.
Mantilla described suffering head injuries, bruises, and scratches, which led to his confinement in solitary and a subsequent four-day hunger strike. He asserts that he hasn't received medical attention due to the lack of a medical report while in punishment.
Simultaneously, reports indicate that at least 15 migrants are on a hunger strike at a detention center in Louisiana, according to the same coverage.
Weeks prior, Ernesto Martínez had documented his transfer from the detention center to the border for deportation. Having lived in the United States for decades, he recorded the journey and treatment by officials. Martínez, along with another Cuban, stated that authorities informed them of a final deportation order.
As they were escorted to the border, the agents entered a van, confiscated their phones, and communication was severed. In January, the Mexican government announced its willingness to accept deported Cuban migrants from the United States, who cannot be sent directly back to Cuba. This policy also applies to migrants from other countries like Nicaragua, Haiti, and Honduras.
Migrant Detention and Health Concerns in the U.S.
What led to Ernesto Martínez's heart attack in detention?
Ernesto Martínez suffered a heart attack in solitary confinement after initiating a 12-day hunger strike, coupled with previous allegations of being assaulted by immigration officers.
How are medical needs addressed in U.S. detention centers?
Reports suggest that medical needs in detention centers may go unaddressed, particularly if there's no documented medical report, as claimed by detainee Henry Mantilla.
What actions has the Mexican government taken regarding deported migrants?
The Mexican government has agreed to accept deported migrants from various countries, including Cuba, from the United States, as direct repatriation to their home countries is not always possible.