Russian detainees at Georgia immigration center announce hunger strike over conditions

A group of fourteen Russian detainees at the D. Ray James Correctional Facility in Folkston, Georgia, submitted a joint complaint describing severe deficiencies in medical treatment, nutrition, sanitation and communication. They report that emergency care is limited to loss of consciousness or heavy bleeding, while illnesses such as fever or high blood pressure may wait a week or more for attention, and dental problems have been ignored for nearly two years.

The facility, owned by the GEO Group and converted from a federal prison in 2025, continues to operate with prison-like conditions despite being intended for short-term immigration detention. The detainees plan a hunger strike on October 6, with roughly 50 participants including individuals from Latin America, Iran, Afghanistan, China and other countries, seeking transfers to other centers and improved conditions. Experts from Russian America for Democracy in Russia note that while some U.S. detention sites provide fresh produce and better care, many, like this one, fall far short of basic standards, especially for those held for months or years. The protest highlights broader concerns about the treatment of Russian asylum seekers, of whom an estimated 700-800 are detained nationwide, and the risk of deportations to a Russia where some face criminal charges.