Senators demand inquiry after second death at Georgia ICE centre amid hunger strike

Georgia’s two US senators have demanded an immediate investigation into the Folkston ICE Processing Center after a 48-year-old Salvadoran man died at the facility, the second death there, as a hunger strike by detainees continues.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced on Saturday that Luis Sandoval died in the early hours of Friday. ICE said he was found with a ligature around his neck at 1:46 a.m. and was pronounced dead 42 minutes later despite medical attention. An investigation, including an autopsy, will be conducted. ICE did not say whether Sandoval was a current or past participant in the hunger strike.

Sandoval is the second person to die in custody at Folkston. Jaspal Singh died on April 15, 2024, after being placed under medical observation for chest pain and later found unresponsive; an ICE review found the facility’s medical care contributed to his death.

Senators Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff wrote on Thursday to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and the department’s inspector general, urging an “immediate investigation” and an unannounced inspection. They cited reports of medical neglect and retaliation against hunger strikers, including at least 13 protesters placed in solitary confinement, and asked how many strikers have received medical evaluation or been taken offsite for hospital care.

About 500 detainees began a hunger strike in the first week of October to protest conditions at the centre and the processing of asylum seekers, according to The Current GA. ICE told WABE on October 16 that 13 people were still refusing food. The GEO Group-operated Folkston centre is the largest immigrant detention facility in the United States.

Sources

• The Current GA: https://thecurrentga.org/2026/10/24/warnock-ossoff-call-for-investigation-at-south-georgia-ice-facility-as-hunger-strike-said-to-continue/
• Migrant Insider: https://migrantinsider.com/p/exclusive-folkston-hunger-striker