Senator Jon Ossoff, a Democrat from Georgia, has released a report documenting dozens of cases of abuse involving children and pregnant women in migrant detention facilities.
He says his investigation has been ongoing since January. His office has received over 500 reports of human rights abuses in migrant detention centers across the US, including 14 reports of mistreatment of pregnant women, and 18 reports of mistreatment of children.
During a press conference Monday, he said sick children and pregnant women were denied adequate medical care while in US custody. Dr. Marsha Griffin is a member of the American Academy of Pediatricians. She says even short amounts of time in detention can have lasting impacts on children.
“Children in detention experience high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, suicidality, and high incidences of behavioral problems,” she says.
According to Senator Ossoff’s office, 13 reports of physical or sexual abuse or the abuse of pregnant women or children occurred in Georgia. Senator Ossoff called for better oversight of conditions in immigrant detention facilities.
The US Department of Homeland Security, which operates Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said in a statement that the report was “garbage” and that it provides “comprehensive medical care” to people in custody.
