ICE allowed to force-feed hunger striker detained in Florida
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. _ Immigration authorities asked a federal judge last Friday for permission to force-feed Saleem Khan, a 33-year-old Indian citizen who has been on hunger strike at Krome Detention Center since Dec. 11.
Federal court filings reveal that, since his hunger strike began, Khan has lost more than 30 pounds, or 20% of his body weight, after refusing about 115 meals.
The request came in the form of a petition for an emergency court order from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement to U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams.
In the petition, ICE asked the court's permission to "permit involuntary administration of nutrients, hydration, laboratory tests, and perform routine medical examinations against Saleem Khan."
Essentially, ICE asked the judge's permission to force-feed Khan through a plastic nose tube.
Citing established case law, the court granted permission.
Khan's motivation for refusing food is unclear. It is also unclear from the filings whether he has been allowed to see an attorney since his arrest in Calexico, Calif., on July 26, 2019, as none is listed in the federal court record or in the filings.
But in their motion asking a U.S. District Court judge for permission to force-feed Khan, federal officials said that the Indian immigrant's refusal to eat "poses a serious threat to the security and good order of the Krome Detention Center.'"
_ Sun Sentinel
