PHOENIX– Today, Representative Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) conducted oversight visits to the Florence Correctional Center and the Eloy Detention Center. These visits marked Ansari’s sixth and seventh oversight visits to detention facilities in Arizona.
“The medical negligence that led to Emmanuel Damas’ death is well documented and represents a clear failure at the hands of ICE. Detainees told me he was in severe pain and described the medical care at the Florence Correctional Center as ‘fatal.’ I will not rest until there is a full, independent investigation and the American people know the truth about what is happening inside ICE detention centers,” said Rep. Ansari. “At the Eloy Detention Center, I met with my constituent, Arbella ‘Yari’ Rodriguez Marquez, who has leukemia and has endured severe medical neglect for over a year. She has now developed alarming dark spots across her body. I also spoke with more than 30 men who confirmed horrific conditions—chlorinated sink water, unaffordable bottled water, and delays of three or more days to see a doctor. Every time I visit these detention facilities, it brings me to tears. It’s sickening. It’s traumatizing. It’s deeply un-American.”
Transcript of Ansari’s press conference remarks following her oversight visits:
Good afternoon, everyone. Thanks for joining me today.
A week ago, I traveled to the Florence Correctional Center where I conducted an oversight visit.
This planned visit was following the death of Emmanuel Damas, a 56-year-old Haitian asylum seeker who died after reportedly being denied adequate medical care while in ICE custody after complaining about a toothache to the Florence Correctional Center facility staff.
To my surprise, during last week’s oversight visit, we were greeted by more than 20 people, including the private counsel of CoreCivic.
They denied me the ability to speak with detainees.
I returned today to do just that.
I’ll start by saying that the medical negligence of what happened to Emmanuel Damas is well documented.
I’ve heard from several detainees that Mr. Damas was in severe pain. They described the medical care at the Florence Correctional Center as “FATAL.”
Detainees reported that Mr. Damas had a bulge around his month the size of a potato.
He had visible swelling. And it got to the point where he stopped talking and could no longer walk.
Detainees also reported that Mr. Damas would no longer sleep at night and he would press the medical call button all night and all that ICE would do is check his blood pressure.
The day that Mr. Damas was finally taken to hospital was because several detainees stood in front of Mr. Damas’ cell and demanded that he received medical attention.
At that point, detainees reported that he could barely breath and couldn’t speak.
Mr. Damas' death was a clear case of medical negligence at the hands of ICE.
I have called for a full and independent investigation into the death of Emmanuel Damas, including release of Mr. Damas’ full medical examiner’s report, a complete timeline of his medical complaints to staff, and all medical records related to the care he received while in ICE Custody.
My heart goes out to the Damas family - who should have never experienced such a tragedy perpetrated by the US government with hard earned American tax dollars.
I also visited the Eloy Detention Center today.
I met with my constituent, Arbella “Yari” Rodriguez Marquez, who has leukemia and has also endured severe medical neglect for more than a year.
The only positive news I can report there: Yari is getting better medication since our advocacy and she can now walk with the help of a walker again. The ligaments in her arms and legs are still feeling the impacts of months of medical neglect. Outside doctors are still testing her for a variety of conditions such as lupus, Lymphoedema, leukemia and arthritis.
One alarming detail that is new: she has grown small dark spots all over back and stomach. Doctors suspect it may be from the dirty clothes provided at the facility.
We also spoke to a Latvian woman named Maya who has been waiting for a year for proper foot surgery and medication. She was air transported to hospital back in June of 2025 because of medical neglect. “I grew up in the former Soviet Union,” said Maya, “it was rough. But at least people had a heart. Nobody here at this facility has a heart. They don’t care.”
While she’s been in ICE custody, Maya’s husband died because of the physical and emotional toll, her kids, who are toddlers, were sent to foster care in Frederick, Maryland, and she has no family or lawyer to advocate for her.
In the facility’s chapel, we spoke to over 30 men who confirmed some of the horrifying conditions we all have heard.
The water from the sinks is chlorinated. Detainees fight for ICE, that they let melt because there is the only source of filtered water.
A bottle of water costs more than $2, a cost that detainees simply can’t afford.
It often takes 3 or more days to see doctors. A 26 year old Armenian man we spoke to has been waiting for a year for dental care. He has a tooth infection and could be the next Emmanuel Damas.
One of the most powerful testimonies I heard today was from 46-year-old Felipe. He has lived and paid taxes in Phoenix for over 20 years — he has no criminal record and this administration won’t offer any pathways for legal work.
And today, he is still an undocumented worker, but working for a U.S. prison at $2 an hour. But he doesn’t deserve drinking water?
This is modern day slavery supported by a failing immigration system — and an administration that isn’t interested in fixing it.
I heard from an Iranian asylum seeker who fled here with his daughter during Iran’s 2022 protest movement - who’s terrified of being sent back to Iran where he could be killed by the regime, but described being treated as “animals” in ICE custody. “I often wake up with nightmares, sleeping on the floor, wondering, what crime did I commit to be treated like this?”
I heard from a young, LGBTQ+ Russian man who said he’d been threatened with rape if he didn’t sign self-deportation papers.
The Trump administration only cares about making private prison companies richer. Just this week, it was reported that Corey Lewandowski, the top aide to outgoing DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, sought payments from companies seeking contracts with the Department of Homeland Security. I’m working on new legislation as we speak to investigate and stop this astounding corruption.
The Trump Administration is wasting billions of your taxpayer dollars, torturing and killing innocent people in the process. Meanwhile, Americans can’t afford housing, healthcare or childcare. But instead of funding any of these things - Donald Trump and Republicans ripped away Medicaid from millions of Americans and handed $75 billion dollars to ICE.
DHS and ICE cannot and should not expand in Arizona. Period.
Every time I visit these detention facilities, it brings me to tears. It’s sickening. It’s traumatizing. It’s deeply un-American. I could go on. But here are next steps from my end:
First, I will not rest until there’s an independent investigation into the death of Emmanuel Damas. There have been a record number of deaths under the Trump regime in ICE custody and it cannot stand.
Second, I will be a hell no on funding to ICE. There’s a discharge petition on the House Floor right now, led by Democrats, to separate ICE funding from the rest of DHS. Republicans are refusing to pay hardworking Americans at FEMA and TSA who actually keep us safe because they refuse to negotiate or make any changes to ICE’s lawless, violent practices.
Third, I continue to urge my colleagues to sponsor my two bills – the DRAIN ICE ACT – which would rescind ICE’s $75BN dollar slush fund – as well as the Stop Inhumane Conditions in ICE Detention Act, which aims to improve conditions, oversight, and transparency in ICE detention centers.
Fourth, release Yari now so she can get the treatment she needs.
And finally, it shouldn't be that damn difficult to provide clean drinking water, clothing, and humane conditions. ICE and companies like CoreCivic and Geo Group quite literally have billions of dollars and yet are choosing to treat human beings like animals. Enough.
I will keep fighting until the American people know the truth about what is happening inside ICE detention centers.
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