Overview

• Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, the ACLU of Louisiana, the National Immigration Project and the Southeast Dignity Not Detention coalition filed the complaint in mid-September with DHS’s Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties.
• The filing details claims from one woman and three transgender detainees of sexual assault, forced labor, denial of medical care and retaliatory solitary confinement from 2023 to 2025 at the Basile facility.
• It names former assistant warden Manuel Reyes and describes an unsanctioned “night shift cleaning crew” that allegedly targeted LGBTQ+ detainees; one complainant says Reyes groped her and coerced sex acts through threats.
• According to the complaint, PREA reports, grievances and OIG hotline calls went unanswered or were deemed unsubstantiated, and three detainees reported retaliation after FBI interviews in August 2024, with two still in ICE custody.
• Operated by GEO Group and described as a female-only site holding people of varied gender identities, the facility is the focus of demands for detainee release recommendations, termination of ICE’s agreement and a full investigation.