At least 750 people still in an immigrant detention center in Washington have said they are in a hunger strike to protest the treatment they receive and to ask for an end to deportations in the U.S.
According to Time, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, ICE, confirmed on Saturday that over 750 detainees in the Northwest Detention Center have refused to eat anything since Friday, March 7.
On Saturday night, various immigration rights activists met in front of the Northwest Detention Center to support the detainees' hunger strike, which activists say numbers closer to a thousand, in contradiction to information from authorities.
"We are worried about their well-being and we support their brave posture against inhumane treatment. We're also worried about reprisals, particularly against the leaders of the strike," Maru Villalpando told the Associated Press.
Although authorities say that the number of detainees that have joined the hunger strike is around 750, activists say that 1,000 or even 1,300 in the Northwest Detention Center have joined the strike.
ICE authorities have told the media that they respect the detainees' right to manifest their concerns through any way they like.
"The ICE absolutely respect the rights of all people to express their opinion without interference. While we will work with Congress to implement a reform to immigration laws, the ICE maintains its commitment to sensibly and effectively carry out immigration laws," said Andrew Muños, spokesman for ICE, according to ABC.
The hunger strike is expected to continue during the next five days, as detainees demand upgrades to the facilities and the end of investigations and deportations they are subjected to.
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