Congressman Demands End to ICE Detention at Indiana Prison After Deadly Oversight Visit

Congressman André Carson, representing Indiana’s 7th District, has called for an end to housing ICE detainees at the Miami Correctional Facility following a congressional oversight visit that uncovered alarming conditions and two recent deaths in custody.

Since February, two detainees—Lorth Sim, 59, and Tuan Van Bui, 55—have died inside the maximum-security prison. Sim’s death was ruled due to cardiovascular disease, while Bui’s cause remains under investigation. Both men were found unresponsive in their cells, and Carson is demanding full investigations into these fatalities.

During his visit, Carson joined faith leaders and immigrant rights advocates to assess the treatment of detainees. While commending some staff, he highlighted critical issues including short-staffing, limited medical attention, lack of clean clothing, and irregular meal times. Detainees reported that a broken intercom system delayed emergency responses, potentially contributing to the deaths.

“They are not violent criminals, and they don’t deserve to be detained,” Carson said bluntly. “The Trump administration and his ICE Gestapo have thrown law and order out the window in favor of fear and chaos.”

Former detainee Miguel Avila shared his harrowing experience, describing the facility as one of the worst he has seen. He spoke of no access to sunlight or fresh air and the devastating psychological toll on families separated by detention. Now an advocate, Avila visits detention centers to bear witness to the despair that permeates these facilities.

The Indiana Department of Correction began holding male ICE detainees at Miami Correctional last October under a two-year contract to provide up to 1,000 beds. Currently, about 600 beds are in use.

Advocates like Olive Rusk with Fuerza Unida urged lawmakers to visit the facility themselves to understand the human cost of detaining immigrants there. Meanwhile, Indiana State Police are investigating a third death at the prison—state inmate Shawn Booker, who died on April 5.

Carson and supporters are calling on the public to pressure elected officials to end ICE detentions at Miami Correctional immediately. The conditions detailed in the oversight report paint a grim picture of neglect and systemic failure that demands urgent accountability.