In an alarming revelation, Kurdish filmmaker and activist Gabar Choli has shared harrowing details of his experience in a US immigration detention facility, where he endured months of force-feeding while on hunger strike. Choli, who fled Iran seeking asylum, spoke candidly about the physical and psychological scars left by his treatment at the hands of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). His account raises serious questions about the ethics of force-feeding and the treatment of detainees in the United States.
A Gruesome Ordeal in Solitary Confinement
In June 2025, Gabar Choli found himself in solitary confinement at the Port Isabel Service Processing Center in Texas, a facility infamous for its harsh conditions. After more than two months on hunger strike to protest his treatment and demand improved conditions for all detainees, Choli faced a terrifying routine: guards would storm his cell, restrain him, and forcibly insert a feeding tube into his body to pump nutritional liquid directly into his stomach.
“The pain was unbearable,” Choli recounted. “Two guards would hold my feet, two my hands, and one would restrain my head while they shoved the tube into my nose.” The invasive procedure, which he underwent repeatedly for nearly eight months, left him with physical injuries, including damage to his sinuses and esophagus.
Choli’s experience is not isolated; he encountered other hunger strikers subjected to similar treatment within the same facility. As he explained, the hunger strike was a desperate measure to protest against what he described as “inhumane” conditions and a lack of progress in his asylum case.
Legal and Medical Concerns
Choli’s ordeal has drawn the attention of medical experts and human rights advocates who label the practice of force-feeding as a form of torture. Dr. Chanelle Diaz, an assistant professor at Columbia University, commented that force-feeding poses significant risks to mental and physical health, stating, “This likely amounts to torture.” Medical professionals have consistently argued that individuals possess the right to refuse treatment, particularly in the context of a hunger strike when they are deemed to be of sound mind.
Despite the ethical implications, Choli’s force-feeding was sanctioned by court orders. An investigation revealed that, since January 2025, ICE sought judicial approval for involuntary treatments for at least 18 hunger strikers, contradicting the agency’s claims of respecting detainees’ medical autonomy. Choli lamented the lack of legal representation during his ordeal, highlighting a systemic failure in the immigration detention process that often overlooks the rights of detainees.
The Broader Implications
Choli’s history is complex. He fled Iran to Canada in 2007, where he was an outspoken advocate for Kurdish independence. After facing threats to his life due to his activism, he sought asylum in the United States in 2022. His immigration challenges intensified after the return of Donald Trump to the White House, leading to his eventual detention by ICE in February 2025.
Throughout his time in detention, Choli faced pressure to sign a deportation order, which he steadfastly refused. His hunger strike began as a final resort against what he viewed as punitive treatment. “I am not suicidal,” he stated in a declaration to the court. “I am using hunger strike as the only available option to protest the abuse and mistreatment.”
Ultimately, Choli was deported back to Canada on January 6, 2026. His experience has ignited discussions on the treatment of immigrants and the ethical implications of force-feeding, raising awareness about the urgent need for reform in the US immigration system.
Why it Matters
Choli’s story is a stark reminder of the inhumane conditions that some detainees face in the US immigration system. As he continues to heal from the physical and emotional trauma of his experience, his testimony serves as a rallying cry for advocates fighting for the rights of immigrants and detainees. It underscores the necessity for systemic change to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their immigration status, are treated with dignity and respect. The implications of Choli’s ordeal extend beyond personal suffering; they challenge society to confront the moral responsibilities of how we treat the most vulnerable among us.