In the News

By Anabel Munoz

An inconspicuous driveway leads to the downtown Los Angeles basement known as B-18, where people are held in ICE custody before being transferred to detention centers across the country or deported. The facility has been denounced by many over reported inhumane conditions, prolonged detentions, overcrowding and a lack of proper access to food and water.

On Thursday, members of Congress conducted oversight at the facility, following a court ruling blocking the Trump administration from requiring some members of Congress to provide seven days' advance notice. Representatives Jimmy Gomez (D-Los Angeles) and Norma Torres (D-Pomona) raised concerns over new reports by attorneys that children and parents have been held nearby inside B-17. After viewing the area, Gomez said the space was filled with chairs but no people, adding that signage indicates children have been there.

"They have a big sign that basically said that the parents should keep the children with them," Gomez said.

The Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef), a nonprofit immigration legal provider, told Eyewitness News it has tracked some troubling trends over the past several weeks, including an increase in single parents and children brought to B-17.

"And then being sent to Dilley, Texas, pretty quickly after that," noted Sarah Houston, managing attorney of the ImmDef rapid response team. That's the same facility where 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father were detained.

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