Grievance filings from a 39-year-old Russian national detained for an extended period at Otay Mesa Detention Center detailed numerous issues he raised with facility management.

He submitted these documents as part of his legal challenge against immigration authorities holding him.

The complaints highlighted insufficient sanitation fixtures, noting just two operational urinals, seven showers, and a single sink serving more than 100 people over several months. He also described how poor hygiene contributed to an eye infection outbreak among the group.

In discussion, the individual characterized the environment as degrading and unclean, adding that daily existence felt like repeated indignity with no relief in sight.

He further submitted reports for fellow detainees, such as an elderly man requiring blood pressure management and walking assistance that went unaddressed initially. Neither person is identified here due to fears of retaliation.

After internal channels failed to yield results, he contacted federal complaint offices for immigration detainees, though staffing in those review bodies has been sharply reduced during the current administration's immigration enforcement push.

His actions did not always produce fixes, yet they offered a channel for raising issues that felt somewhat effective at the time.

Last year officials dismissed most personnel from the Office of Immigration Detention Ombudsman and the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, which handle probes into fatalities, staff misconduct, medical services, and rights violations.

Homeland Security has restricted visits by members of Congress to these sites and initially resisted state-mandated county checks.

Democratic representatives along with the San Diego County Board of Supervisors responded with legal action against the department, securing expanded congressional entry rights and a county health review conducted on Friday, though local advocates continue weekly gatherings outside the Otay Mesa location to demand stronger monitoring.

Michele Deitch of the University of Texas Prison and Jail Innovation Lab described immigration detention sites broadly as operating without sufficient transparency.

This month President Trump enacted legislation providing DHS an extra 70 billion dollars for the remainder of his term, following prior allocations totaling 191 billion dollars.

Representatives from ICE and CoreCivic, which operates the Otay Mesa center, declined interview requests but provided written responses addressing select questions.

An ICE statement indicated that San Diego and other centers adhere to nationwide guidelines covering medical provisions, physical conditions, and detainee treatment overall.

CoreCivic emphasized its established grievance procedures and options for urgent or standard medical requests, underscoring that safety and health remain central priorities.

Conditions Risk Further Decline Without Checks

An inewsource review located numerous accounts from immigrants at Otay Mesa describing declining health, insufficient treatment, or postponed medical procedures, drawn from court filings and direct conversations with ten former detainees.

Such shortcomings coincide with rising populations across ICE facilities nationwide. Otay Mesa currently holds around 1,170 individuals, compared with roughly 500 in 2021.

A state Department of Justice assessment of California detention centers concluded that expanded deportation efforts have intensified overcrowding and resource strains, particularly regarding medical access and living standards.

The May findings flagged significant space shortages at Otay Mesa along with questions over meal quality and quantity. Record-keeping gaps were also noted as hindering care, with some requiring advanced treatment remaining in on-site medical units for prolonged periods.

Fifty immigration detention deaths have occurred nationally in the current term, averaging three monthly, exceeding the 29 recorded over the prior administration's full tenure, though Otay Mesa has reported none recently.

ICE noted availability of medical, dental, and mental health support plus round-the-clock emergency response, claiming many receive superior care compared to prior experiences.

CoreCivic affirmed a strict no-retaliation stance on grievances and multiple confidential reporting methods including hotlines and direct staff contact.

Medical specialists stress that recurring external reviews, detainee interviews, and full record access are essential to verify internal operations.

Altaf Saadi, a Harvard Medical School associate professor examining detention health effects, observed that these centers lack capacity for ongoing management of chronic illnesses.

Surveys of California detainees indicated around 40 percent have chronic conditions, with one-third noting care interruptions during custody. A 2025 study co-authored by Saadi linked longer detention stays to poorer health results.

Without substantive accountability measures for ICE operations and facility conditions, Saadi warned outcomes will deteriorate steadily.

Requests for Mobility Support Initially Dismissed

inewsource also interviewed another former Russian detainee from Otay Mesa with translation assistance from the younger man who filed grievances.

The older individual reported hospitalization for stroke symptoms shortly after arrival in August 2024 following an asylum request at a port of entry.

At the hospital he remained restrained to the bed by one arm despite paralysis on one side. Upon release he faced major mobility limitations without corresponding support inside the facility.

When he inquired about seating and walking needs, staff reportedly replied that such matters fell outside their responsibility.

The translator noted fellow detainees assisted with movement to meals until multiple grievances secured a walker. Even then fainting episodes continued, and on one occasion bystanders seeking help received no response, leading them to transport him back to his quarters unaided.

ICE paroled him in February 2025 after roughly six months. The younger man gained release earlier this year following 17 months in custody.

CoreCivic representatives stated that Otay Mesa personnel follow federal standards with government oversight and avoid reductions in care quality or staffing levels.

Additional comments highlighted an on-site clinic staffed by licensed physicians, nurse practitioners, mental health professionals, and dentists meeting rigorous benchmarks confirmed through audits.

Calls for Greater Internal Visibility Continue

Advocates have assembled outside Otay Mesa fences each Sunday since November to express support for those held and question official assurances about conditions.

Activist Jeane Wong participated recently, stating the group will persist until the site closes.

She noted regular text exchanges with detainees reporting ongoing problems inside.

Visibility within remains essential according to Wong.

Earlier this year detainees tossed notes over the perimeter during demonstrations.

One message shared via L.A. Taco described persistent illness among the population.

Representatives Sara Jacobs and Mike Levin performed multiple oversight visits, including two this year.

After a policy change allowed unannounced entry they still faced limits on direct conversations with detainees under new identification rules.

During inspections they observed generally satisfactory conditions in pods, medical areas, and the law library while sampling provisions, though they noted the medical unit operated with 13 staff including two physicians for over 1,000 people and plans for one more hire.

Levin expressed confidence that the team was managing effectively given constraints.

County officials pursued inspections under state authority previously denied, securing a court ruling affirming access rights.

A nearly eight-hour review took place Friday involving public health and environmental officials plus consultants, with findings due in July.

At last week's gathering participants chanted and displayed messages critical of ICE enforcement while creating notes and drawings for those inside. Music requested by detainees played over speakers.

Children present blew bubbles near the fencing as their father, Ryan Lance, explained bringing them to illustrate prospects for improvement that younger generations can help shape.

Reported by Sofia Mejias-Pascoe and Jake Kincaid