Detainees at Adelanto Launch Hunger Strike Over Conditions and Bond Policy

Overview

• The hunger strike began Tuesday and involves at least 20 detainees held at the Desert View Annex, who say they have refused food to demand better medical care, clean water, nutritious meals, bond reform, and the right to communicate and organize.
• Detainees and advocates say the annex suffers overcrowding, slow or perfunctory medical visits, reduced food rations, mold and water problems, and punitive responses from staff, citing reports from Disability Rights California and interviews with lawyers who visit weekly.
• The Department of Homeland Security disputed that a hunger strike is occurring and said ICE provides meals and medical care, setting up conflicting public accounts between federal officials and detainees' supporters.
• A May 2026 California Department of Justice inspection found multiple deaths at Adelanto between September 2025 and March 2026 and documented inspection failures that advocates cite to press for emergency court intervention.
• Legal coalitions have filed federal suits seeking emergency relief and an improvement order for Adelanto, with a hearing scheduled for July 10, and advocates warn the protest could increase pressure on GEO Group and federal detention policies.