WASHINGTON — Wilfredo Gonzalez Mena, who was released from a California immigrant detention facility six years ago, suffers from lasting medical issues attributed to his 10 months in custody at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center until September 2020. During his detention, guards sprayed him and other detainees with a concentrated disinfectant intended to combat COVID-19. Gonzalez Mena is one of six named plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit filed in 2023 regarding the use of the cleaning solution, which has received preliminary approval for a settlement by a federal judge in Riverside on September 25. The settlement is expected to provide a six-figure payout to Gonzalez Mena and applies to approximately 2,700 individuals detained at the Adelanto facility between March 11 and September 30, 2020, who were exposed to the disinfectant known as HDQ Neutral. "When you least expected it, you would feel the mist," Gonzalez Mena stated. "They would spray us like we were animals." The Adelanto facility is operated by the GEO Group, a private prison corporation that has faced criticism over conditions at its detention facilities. The company has opposed California laws aimed at increasing oversight of its operations. Under the settlement, GEO Group and Spartan Chemical Co. Inc., the manufacturer of HDQ Neutral, acknowledged that the product, classified as a pesticide, can cause various health issues, including blistering, chemical burns, vomiting, permanent eye damage, and respiratory tract damage. Class members not named as plaintiffs may use these findings to pursue their own lawsuits. The lawsuit alleges that detainees experienced symptoms such as nosebleeds, headaches, and dizziness due to the disinfectant. Spartan Chemical warns that inappropriate exposure can lead to similar effects, with long-term exposure linked to asthma and reproductive issues. An investigation by the EPA revealed that staff and detainees were instructed to apply HDQ Neutral every 30 minutes without proper ventilation and at a dilution rate exceeding the recommended concentration. In 2021, the EPA found that GEO Group had violated federal law by misusing HDQ Neutral. A federal judge ordered the discontinuation of the product at the Adelanto facility, citing a disregard for detainee safety. Documents released during the lawsuit discovery included an email from a nurse expressing concerns about patients experiencing adverse effects from the chemicals used. Mark Anthony Ferretiz, a former cook supervisor at the facility, reported that staff were instructed to spray the disinfectant frequently, leading to health issues. Years later, former detainees like Gonzalez Mena continue to experience health problems, impacting their quality of life. Gonzalez Mena stated that his health deteriorated to the point where he could no longer pass the required physical assessment for his previous job. He has since turned to online resale to make ends meet, expressing that his experience in detention has left lasting emotional scars.
Why this rating? · 8 signals
Signals flagged in the original
- loaded language: 'sprayed him and fellow detainees nearly around the clock'
- loaded language: 'has faced criticism for years'
- loaded language: 'health and safety shortcomings'
- loaded language: 'appeared dismissive'
- framing: The article foregrounds detainees’ alleged lasting injuries and repeatedly emphasizes the disinfectant’s dangers while using the settlement and regulatory findings to reinforce the harm narrative.
- framing: The headline’s phrasing, “sprayed with a cleaner during COVID crisis,” emphasizes the alarming conduct before introducing the settlement.
- editorializing: Baca appeared dismissive of the nurse’s concern.
- vague attribution: has faced criticism for years
Analyzed by our bias model Full breakdown ↓
Settlement Reached for ICE Detainees Exposed to Disinfectant During COVID-19
A class-action lawsuit against the GEO Group concerning the use of a disinfectant, HDQ Neutral, in the Adelanto ICE Processing Center has resulted in a proposed settlement. The settlement, which received preliminary approval, affects approximately 2,700 detainees exposed to the chemical, which has been linked to various health issues. Plaintiffs, including Wilfredo Gonzalez Mena, report ongoing health problems stemming from their exposure during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Language Analysis
Loaded Language Removed
- ✕ loaded language: 'sprayed him and fellow detainees nearly around the clock'
- ✕ loaded language: 'has faced criticism for years'
- ✕ loaded language: 'health and safety shortcomings'
- ✕ loaded language: 'appeared dismissive'
- ✕ framing: The article foregrounds detainees’ alleged lasting injuries and repeatedly emphasizes the disinfectant’s dangers while using the settlement and regulatory findings to reinforce the harm narrative.
- ✕ framing: The headline’s phrasing, “sprayed with a cleaner during COVID crisis,” emphasizes the alarming conduct before introducing the settlement.
- ✕ editorializing: Baca appeared dismissive of the nurse’s concern.
- ✕ vague attribution: has faced criticism for years
Original vs. Neutral
ICE detainees were sprayed with a cleaner during COVID crisis. Now they have a settlement
Settlement Reached for ICE Detainees Exposed to Disinfectant During COVID-19