A report from Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) found more than 500 cases of “credible reports of human rights abuse” in immigration detention centers across the country.
“Through interviews, analysis of public reports, and site inspections, the Senator’s staff has received or identified 41 credible reports of physical and sexual abuse, 14 credible reports of mistreatment of pregnant women, and 18 credible reports of mistreatment of children in immigration detention,” the report states.
The report notes that these abuses towards children occurred to both U.S. citizens and noncitizens.
The report goes into detail about the alleged mistreatment of pregnant women in these facilities. Pregnant women in detention facilities were not “receiving adequate medical care and timely checkups, not receiving urgent care when needed, being denied snacks and adequate meals, and being forced to sleep on the floor due to overcrowding,” according to the report.
In an interview with Ossoff’s staff, one pregnant detainee said she repeatedly requested medical attention and was told to “just drink water” rather than receiving an exam. The report additionally stated some pregnant women have waited “weeks” to see a doctor in DHS custody.
The report additionally found that children with medical issues while in detention were denied medical care. One case involved a 4-year-old U.S. citizen with stage 4 cancer, who was sent to Honduras without access to his medications when his mother was deported.
“Regardless of our views on immigration policy, the American people do not support the abuse of detainees and prisoners…it’s more important than ever to shine a light on what’s happening behind bars and barbed wire, especially and most shockingly to children,” Ossoff told NBC News in a statement about the report.
Ossoff said he has sent oversight letters to the DHS, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Defense regarding the alleged mistreatment at immigration facilities.
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The White House did not directly respond to a request for comment from the Washington Examiner on the alleged abuses. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said in a statement that “ICE detention facilities have [sic] highest standards. They are safe, clean, and hold illegal aliens who are awaiting final removal proceedings.”
DHS and Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not respond to requests for comment. DHS has previously denied reports of human rights abuses at immigration detention facilities.