Foul Odor and Chemical Symptoms Reported at GEO Aurora

ICE DENIES GAS LEAK WHILE FIRE DEPARTMENT POINTS TO EXTERNAL CHEMICALS

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A sharp controversy surrounding the health and safety of detained individuals has emerged at the GEO Group migrant center in Aurora under contract with ICE. While detainees and activists warn about a likely exposure to chemical fumes that triggered vomiting, dizziness, and eye irritation over the weekend, ICE spokespersons dismiss the alarms as “false,” while local rescue authorities clarify the origin of the emergency calls.

Testimony from one of the detainees housed in Pod C (Charlie 1) details moments of desperation experienced between Friday and Sunday. “Saturday was terribly awful. It was 9:00 PM. A strong smell started to be felt. Very strong. I felt a headache. Some of my cellmates vomited, and there were people who felt like they could faint, and our eyes hurt badly,” the complainant told this outlet.

The same detainee questioned the overcrowded and unsanitary conditions during the episode. “I am worried about this situation because we remain locked inside 10 by 14 cells meant for four people. We spend about 10 hours there. In that cell, we have to endure the dense environment without proper ventilation or immediate assistance,” says the detainee, who adds that he has suffered from sinusitis since arriving at the GEO facility about nine months ago.

Activists Warn of Widespread Impact

Immigrant rights organizations maintain that this testimony was not an isolated incident. According to community networks of pro-immigrant activists, it is estimated that approximately 500 people—nearly 50% of the total population housed at the GEO facility—were potentially affected by the odor in areas A1, B1, C1, and D4 across the four main pods.

Although community advocates do not rule out the possibility that the odors were pulled in from the outside, they are demanding a thorough investigation by health authorities and independent inspectors. “Regardless of whether it was natural gas or another substance, the medical symptoms reported by dozens of families and detainees closely match the effects of inhaling toxic fumes,” stated a spokesperson for this detainee aid network.

ICE Denies the Accusations

For its part, the ICE Denver Public Affairs Office categorically dismissed any infrastructure failure or risk to the population in its custody. “Over the weekend, a caller from outside the facility reported a gas leak in what appears to have been a hoax. ICE and GEO employees worked with local utility providers to inspect the facility,” reads the statement received.

ICE’s response continues: “No gas leak was found, and no evacuations were ordered. This appears to be another attempt to disrupt operations and undermine ICE’s mission to uphold the nation’s immigration laws”. Meanwhile, the Adams County Health Department confirmed it had not received any direct reports of a gas leak at the facility.

Firefighters Confirm Strong Environmental Odor and Rule Out Gas Hazard

Eric Hurst, Public Information Officer for Aurora Fire Rescue (AFR), provided a detailed account of the firefighters’ response. The agency received three calls to investigate odors at GEO over the three days (Saturday at 12:39 p.m., Sunday at 11:53 p.m., and Monday at noon), all made by individuals outside the facility. AFR specified that detention center staff did not report any emergencies or ill detainees during the operations.

However, AFR’s technical investigation managed to identify the origin of the environmental anomaly. “During the incident late Sunday night, it was noted that an odor was being pulled into the [GEO] building from outside. Earlier in the day around 4 p.m., AFR investigated a gas odor around 35th and Moline a few blocks northwest of the GEO facility and could not locate a source,” the release states.

The document sent by AFR continues: “Xcel Energy later confirmed there was no hazard. Xcel contacted a business using a cleaning solution that smelled like propane gas, and our crew detected that same odor outside GEO hours later,” Hurst detailed, clarifying that no patient transports or medical evaluations were recorded in their official reports.

Critical Background Regarding Ventilation

The ventilation issue that reportedly pulled the chemicals into Pod C comes weeks after staff from U.S. Congressman Jason Crow’s office conducted an official oversight visit to the GEO facility. In their July 27 oversight report, the lawmaker’s team documented noticeable issues with the air conditioning system in Pod C, where temperatures reached up to 80 °F (26.6 °C).

“Staff entered multiple housing pods during the visit, including A, B, and C. While touring pod in the C wing, it was noticeably warmer. GEO and ICE staff mentioned that they were actively working on fixing the AC. Staff observed fans and portable AC, coolers, and water in the pod. The wall thermometer showed 80 degrees Fahrenheit”.