**
Gabar Choli, a Kurdish filmmaker and activist, has revealed the harrowing details of his experience with force-feeding during his detention by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In an exclusive interview from Canada, Choli recounted the physical and psychological trauma he endured while protesting his treatment in an immigration facility in Texas. His story highlights significant concerns regarding the treatment of asylum seekers and the ethics of medical interventions in detention settings.
A Journey Through Trauma
In June 2025, Gabar Choli found himself trapped in a solitary confinement medical cell at the Port Isabel Service Processing Center in Texas, a facility notorious for its treatment of detained immigrants. Following a hunger strike lasting over two months, he was forcibly restrained and subjected to painful forced feeding procedures by ICE. Choli, 40, described the process as both physically agonising and emotionally devastating, stating, “It just broke me, mentally broke me.”
Choli’s ordeal began after he fled to the US from Canada, where he had sought asylum due to his activism for an independent Kurdistan. He was arrested during a routine check-in with ICE in February 2025, leading to his detention in a system that has consistently faced scrutiny for its treatment of immigrants.
The Mechanics of Force-Feeding
During his detention, Choli was reportedly force-fed for nearly eight months. This process involved being restrained by guards while medical staff inserted a feeding tube through his nose and down his throat to deliver nutritional liquids. He described the experience in vivid detail, explaining how guards would physically overpower him, saying, “Two guards would hold my feet; two hold my hands; one hold my head – and they would shove tubes in my nose.” The trauma of this procedure resulted in severe physical complications, including damaged sinuses and psychological distress.
Investigations have indicated that Choli’s case is not isolated. According to reports, ICE has sought court orders to force-feed at least 18 hunger strikers within a span of just over a year. Critics argue that such practices amount to torture, as they are employed against individuals protesting their treatment and conditions of confinement.
Legal and Ethical Implications
The legal framework surrounding forced medical interventions in detention raises significant ethical questions. Choli, who had no legal representation during his ordeal, was subjected to court orders without the opportunity to present his case. The implications of these proceedings reflect a broader trend in which the rights of detainees are often overlooked in the pursuit of maintaining order within immigration facilities.
Dr Chanelle Diaz, a medical expert who has evaluated multiple ICE force-feeding cases, condemned the practice, stating, “In Choli’s case, where he was force-fed for eight months, you’re looking at easily over 100 NG tube placements… that is just not medical care, that is torture.” The lack of access to legal counsel and the dismissive attitude toward detainees’ autonomy further complicate the situation, raising alarms about the treatment of vulnerable populations within the detention system.
The Personal Cost of Activism
Now back in Canada, Choli struggles with the lasting effects of his experience. He described the pain and complications stemming from the force-feeding, stating, “The price of [the hunger strike] was my life… My kidneys, my gallbladder, my intestines… But this is the price you pay for making a stand for what is right.” His determination to share his story reflects a commitment to advocating for humane treatment for others in similar situations.
Choli’s experience underscores the urgent need for reform within the US immigration system and raises critical questions about the ethical boundaries of medical interventions in the context of detention.
Why it Matters
Gabar Choli’s ordeal serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing human rights issues facing asylum seekers and immigrants in the United States. His story illuminates the intersection of immigration policy and healthcare ethics, challenging society to reconsider the treatment of vulnerable populations. As discussions around immigration reform continue, it is essential to advocate for the dignity and rights of all individuals, ensuring that the principles of humanity and justice are upheld in every corner of the system.
