A video from the Adelanto ICE Processing Center in Southern California has sparked outrage after it appeared to show worm-like creatures swimming in a bottle of drinking water provided at the facility.[1][2]
The footage was shared by the family of detainee Carlitos Ricardo Parias, whose son, Ulysses Parias, said he saw the scene during a video call with his father last Thursday.[1] Ulysses Parias said his father told him the water smelled like metal and later complained of stomach pain during a Saturday visit.[1]
Parias’ immigration attorney, Margaret Hellerstein, said complaints about foul-smelling water and floating debris had been repeated for months.[2] She also raised the possibility that facility staff may be refilling outside water jugs with tap water, although U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said the center receives city water from Adelanto and uses the same water supply as local residents.[1]
The facility had already been ordered by a federal court last month to provide clean drinking water around the clock, along with nutritious food.[11][12] Parias was arrested on a federal officer assault charge that has since been dismissed, and he remains detained while facing deportation proceedings to Mexico.
