ICE: Protest At Louisiana Jail Ends After Pepper Spray Used

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement says migrants inside a Louisiana jail were pepper-sprayed to end their protest over prolonged detention.

Spokesman Bryan Cox said Wednesday that “a brief, calculated use of pepper spray was employed” during a Tuesday protest at the Winn Correctional Center in rural Winnfield. Cox said about 50 migrants were pepper-sprayed and the protesters “subsequently became compliant.”

Cox said medical staff evaluated anyone who came into contact with the pepper spray and no injuries were reported. Family members of people detained at Winn said some migrants had refused to go back to their cell and were sleeping outside.