Attorneys representing hundreds of asylum seekers in New Mexico are shedding light on disturbing events at the Cibola County Correctional Center, where a recent complaint filed by the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center alleges the use of pepper spray on detainees staging a protest.
The incident, which occurred in mid-November, has raised concerns about the treatment of migrants and the conditions within the facility.
Claims of Retaliation in Migrant Detention
According to the complaint, the incident unfolded when a group of five migrants staged a protest for better treatment. When other detainees were unable to calm them down, guards reportedly took punitive action against the entire unit.
Sophia Genovese, managing attorney with the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center, stated, “We’re told about 20-30 men, CoreCivic guards who are masked, entered the unit and dispersed pepper spray into the entire unit.” She added that the guards allegedly turned off ventilation, exacerbating the situation for all detainees.
The complaint details serious health consequences suffered by most detainees, including vomiting, sneezing blood, and breathing problems. Shockingly, the detainees did not receive adequate medical attention until three weeks later, coinciding with the filing of the complaint.
CoreCivic, the private company operating the facility, confirmed the use of pepper spray but asserted it was in response to a protest where agitated migrants barricaded doors, covered security cameras, and set fires.
They claim that OC spray, derived from cayenne peppers, was used to restore order. CoreCivic insists that neither guards nor detainees were injured during the incident.
This is not the first time CoreCivic has faced allegations of mistreatment. Security footage from 2020 at a similar facility in Torrance County showed guards deploying OC spray against protestors reportedly staging a hunger strike for better COVID-19 protections.
The attorneys representing the asylum seekers have reported the incident to the Department of Homeland Security, urging a thorough investigation into the matter. Genovese emphasized the need for a comprehensive review, stating, “I think it’s an open question about whether the proper use of force was engaged. We don’t know until there’s a proper investigation done until there’s video footage reviewed.”
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CoreCivic Faces Scrutiny in New Mexico
While denying allegations of mistreatment, CoreCivic is facing increasing scrutiny from New Mexico’s congressional leaders. Senator Martin Heinrich expressed frustration over unaddressed concerns in a recent letter, highlighting reports of overflowing sewage and retaliation against migrants at the Torrance County facility.
Despite CoreCivic’s denials, the allegations have sparked renewed calls for transparency, accountability, and a reassessment of the conditions within detention facilities. As the investigation unfolds, advocates for migrant rights are pushing for swift action to address potential misconduct and safeguard the well-being of those in detention.
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