Judge grants request to force-feed Iranian asylum seeker in ICE detention

A federal judge sanctioned the U. S. government's request to force-feed Iranian asylum seeker Mehrad Asadi Eidivand, currently on a hunger strike in ICE detention in Arizona. The first hunger strike led to a hospitalization where he was diagnosed with acute kidney injury, prompting the government to seek judicial approval for involuntary medical measures. Judge Steven Logan noted Eidivand's risk of organ failure and permitted the administration of intravenous fluids and a feeding tube without his consent.

Eidivand's attorney, Rebecca Cheaves, plans to challenge the legality of his detention, asserting that he faces persecution as a Christian in Iran. Family members criticized the government's actions, deeming them an abuse of power and calling for Eidivand's release. Compounding the situation, Eidivand's brother and sister-in-law were arrested and indicted on federal charges, which Cheaves believes is linked to their support for Eidivand's case. This situation reflects broader concerns regarding the treatment of asylum seekers and their families in the United States. The case highlights the urgent need for policy reform in immigration detention practices.