'Inadequate And Inhumane': Moulton Tours Burlington ICE Facility

BURLINGTON, MA — U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Salem) conducted an oversight tour of the ICE facility in Burlington on Monday.

Moulton said he spent 90 minutes at the sites asking questions about how detainees' basic needs are being met, such as adequate food, blankets, and access to attorneys.

"The facilities in there are completely inadequate and inhumane for anyone to be staying here for an extended length of time," Moulton said.

Moulton referred to the case of Marcelo Gomes, a Milford high school student who was detained at the facility for six days in June.

He criticized the facility for its lack of sleeping mats, which he had also noted in his last oversight visit in June.

"Candidly, there's no excuse that they don't have sleeping mats," he said.

People are currently sleeping on concrete floors and benches with only an aluminum survival blanket, according to a statement from Moulton. The toilets are also open with no privacy or ventilation.

However, Moulton noted that detainees are being moved through the facility faster than in the past. There were only fewer than 10 people at the facility Monday, compared to around 50 when he visited in June.

That said, moving people out of the Burlington facility comes with its own challenges, "including that these individuals are being moved to facilities further away, with less access to immigration lawyers to represent them," according to the statement.

The ICE site near the Burlington Mall on District Avenue has received attention in recent months, including a protest where three people were arrested in September. Weekly protests have also been held at the site.

Related: Burlington Town Meeting Takes Action Against ICE Facility

3 Activists Arrested At Burlington ICE Facility, Police Say

Burlington Town Meeting voted to condemn the "inhumane" conditions at the facility in October.

Watch Moulton's full press conference by clicking here.