LAUREN GILGER: Now let's turn to one of the more vulnerable populations amidst this pandemic. Those behind bars where it's nearly impossible to socially distance. We've talked on The Show extensively about the rising numbers of prisoners in our state who are testing positive for the virus. Now let's turn to those behind bars in the state's many immigration detention centers. Independent reporter Valeria Fernandez has been covering the spread of the virus in these often privately owned — operated — centers alongside Jude Joffe-Block for the Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting. And she joins us now with the latest. Good morning, Valeria.
VALERIA FERNANDEZ: Well, no, go ahead.
GILGER: Yeah. So give us the latest on this, you broke up a little bit there, but I think we've got your back now. Do you know how many detainees in our state have been tested and are testing positive for the virus?
FERNANDEZ: Well, we actually have a lot of questions about what's happening in Arizona because ICE has only been releasing nationwide numbers in terms of how many people are being tested, which is about 2,394 in the entire country of a population of about 26,000 people. And from that number that have been tested, about half of them — 1,201 — have confirmed cases of COVID-19. In Arizona, the largest concentration of cases is in La Palma Correctional Center with 69 cases. Those are numbers up to May 22nd because they have not been updated, I think, because of the holiday. And we have 11 cases on the floor's detention center. ICE has not released the number of people tested in Arizona. So we have no way of knowing and we don't know the total population of people that are in detention.
GILGER: Yeah. So there has been some reporting that there are hunger strikes going on at some of the detention centers here in the state. I know you've been talking to many of the immigrants who are living inside. What are their concerns?
FERNANDEZ: Well, about for the past month and a half, I've been talking with around 25 men. They are extremely scared, anxious, in panic, I would say, because of the number of cases that are rising — and specifically in La Palma Detention Center with 69. They are fearful for their lives. They're concerned that social distancing is not possible because they are locked in basically pods with over 100 people. We don't know the exact number, but that's about what they're reporting. They're concerned that they're not given protective gear like masks with frequency. They reported to me several times that were only even 1 masks and that the mask has not been replaced. They are constantly reporting a shortage of cleaning supplies because actually detainees are responsible. They're, they volunteer to clean the facilities and the living areas, and they say they don't have enough disinfectant for that. And they also complain about not having enough soap in personal products for cleaning themselves. And this is like a constant that I hear all the time. They're also concerned about the guards. And, you know, just a few weeks ago saying that not all of the guards are wearing protective gear. And so they're fearful that they are going to bring the virus within the facility in those areas where, you know, no one is — that we know — that are sick yet.
GILGER: What's ICE's response been to all of this?
FERNANDEZ: Well, basically, ICE is saying that they're following the CDC standards for detention facilities. And, you know, part of the recommendations from the CDC is like, if you have no other alternative, as their last resort, you could put people in, you know, in cohorts. And basically what that means is like your grouping detainees that have been potentially exposed to COVID-19 in groups, and you're also grouping detainees who, you know, are very vulnerable to try to keep them safe. And part of the issue with that is that there's really no social distancing. You have people that are sharing cells. You have people huddling together to watch the television. They're showering together. They're using the phones. And so that's only one of the concerns that's not only raised by the detainees, but also medical experts. And even the CDC says, you know, this should be a last resort.
GILGER: In the minute or so we have left here, Valeria, there are several, I know lawsuits that have been filed about this as well, conditions for detainees, especially those with preexisting conditions. What has been ruled in those cases? What does the judge think?
FERNANDEZ: Well, in Arizona, District Judge Logan ordered ICE to basically make the conditions constitutionally appropriate. For some it's specific... For actually for a group of detainees that are part of a lawsuit filed by the Florence Detention Center. But basically, the judge said that the conditions in which he was being held amounted to punishment. And so ICE, what we've seen in court filings, has made special arrangements for this one detainee that suffers from his scoliosis, which is like a severe... problem. So he can shower alone. So he's in a... self. And we've seen a couple of other lawsuits where similar rulings are taking place. One detainee at a time. The question is, what's going to happen if this expands? You know, is ICE going to be capable to make a special arrangements for social distancing for each of the people in detention?
GILGER: That is Valeria Fernandez. She's been covering this for the Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting. Valeria, thank you very much.
FERNANDEZ: Thank you.
