Full Breakdown
Alleged Medical Neglect and Abuse of a Belarusian Asylum Seeker at Virginia’s Farmville Detention Center
6/23/2026, 11:27:59 PM
Core Event: Detention, Health Crisis, and Attempted Deportation
In August 2025 ICE detained 35-year-old Belarusian asylum-seeker Aliaksei Shcharbachenia at a Virginia truck stop and placed him in Farmville Detention Center (FDC). He reported a tumor the size of an egg on his arm, loss of finger sensation, and no specialist care. He was later moved to Chantilly, then flown to Turkey and Azerbaijan, where he alleges assault and collars before returning to FDC.
Background & Context: Facility History and Private Management
Farmville Detention Center opened in 2010 under Immigration Centers of America (ICA). ICA’s record includes a 2015 pepper-spray incident and a 2020 hunger strike that resulted in a detainee’s COVID-19 death. CoreCivic bought the facility in 2025 for $67 million; advocates say conditions have worsened, citing medical neglect and undrinkable water.
Timeline
- 2010: Farmville opens under ICA.
- 2015: ICA guard pepper-sprays detainee.
- 2020: Hunger strike; COVID-19 death.
- 2025: CoreCivic purchases facility for $67 M.
- Aug 2025–Jun 2026: Shcharbachenia detained, reports tumor, moves, alleges assault, returns to FDC.
Data & Statistics
- Purchase price: $67 million (2025).
- Federal immigration-enforcement funding: $70 billion (2026).
- Target detention capacity: 100,000 immigrants.
Why It Matters
The case highlights potential human-rights violations in privately run immigration detention, raises concerns about medical oversight, and shows how recent federal funding may expand a cost-driven detention system.
Official Statements & Responses
CoreCivic spokesperson Brian Todd said the company does not use solitary confinement, instead uses “restrictive housing.” He said safety, health, and well-being are priorities. ICE declined comment.
Criticism & Opposition
Sophia Gregg, ACLU of Virginia, called detention “punishment” used to force relinquishment of rights and warned that increased funding will expand private facilities offering “the bare minimum at cost of human life and human suffering.” They cite the 2015 pepper-spray, 2020 hunger strike, and medical neglect.
On-the-Ground Reports
Shcharbachenia’s video call showed a tumor the size of an egg on his arm and loss of finger sensation. He described freezing temperatures, undrinkable water, dirty ventilation, and being restrained with collars in a Turkish airport cell.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
CoreCivic says water and ventilation meet community standards; Shcharbachenia reports undrinkable water and dirty ventilation. The company claims medical examinations; he says no specialist evaluation. ICE gave no comment, and the DHS OIG phone line is inactive.
Verbatim Quotes
- “They’re using detention as a form of punishment as a way to get people to relinquish their rights to remain in this country.” — Sophia Gregg, ACLU of Virginia
- “Dogs” live better than detainees there, Shcharbachenia told The Intercept.” — Aliaksei Shcharbachenia, asylum seeker
- “The safety, health and well-being of the individuals entrusted to our care is our top priority, and we take seriously our responsibility to adhere to all applicable federal detention standards at our Farmville Detention Center (FDC),” — Brian Todd, CoreCivic spokesperson
- “They took out of their backpacks some white plastic collars, like dog collars,” — Aliaksei Shcharbachenia, asylum seeker
What’s Next
Federal immigration-enforcement appropriations will fund further detention expansion, likely increasing reliance on private operators. Advocacy groups plan additional DHS OIG complaints and potential litigation; congressional oversight hearings on private detention are expected.
