DETERIORATING CONDITIONS AT ELOY DETENTION CENTER

On 2026-09-16, Representative Adelita S. Grijalva (D-AZ-7) delivered a floor speech titled "DETERIORATING CONDITIONS AT ELOY DETENTION CENTER" in the House.

DETERIORATING CONDITIONS AT ELOY DETENTION CENTER

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 146 (Wednesday, September 16, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 146 (Wednesday, September 16, 2026)] [House] [Page H5963] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] DETERIORATING CONDITIONS AT ELOY DETENTION CENTER (Mrs. GRIJALVA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.) Mrs. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to sound the alarm about the deteriorating conditions at the Eloy Detention Center. My office has received multiple reports from family members of people in detention, and their lawyers, that detainees are being denied access to proper drinking water. Instead, they are being given one cup of ice chips per day. In fact, I just met with Sonya, the wife of Yari, who was diagnosed with leukemia and is currently being held in Eloy. Her wife told her that the detainees are only being given ice chips for water, which they have to wait until they melt. Two housing units are also without air- conditioning. This is an outrage. At least 57 people have died in ICE custody this year, 4 of them in Arizona. This number is likely higher. How many more human beings need to die before we do something? This is a moral failure. I am calling on DHS to immediately address these conditions and ensure that all detainees have access to safe drinking water, edible food, and humane living conditions. ____________________