Advocacy groups say babies released from migrant detention center were all 'sick in some way'
The release of 12 infants from a migrant detention center in Dilley, Texas revealed squalid conditions that those detained face as they wait for Immigration and Customs Enforcement to determine whether they are a "danger to the community or a flight risk," CBS News reported. Four other babies were in detention alongside the 12, but their status currently remains unclear.
Advocacy groups sent letters of complaint specifically regarding the infants to the Department of Homeland Security and the House Judiciary Committee detailing the state of the detention center in Dilley.
"Every mother I spoke to said that her child was sick in some way," said Katy Murdza, the advocacy coordinator at the American Immigration Council's Dilley Bro Pono Project.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Several infants lost weight rapidly because the facility carried one type of formula that was only available upon special request. Subsequently, mothers were not given bottled water to mix with the formula, meaning they had to use potentially-unsafe tap water at the center, instead. Some mothers described how difficult it was to access medical attention for the children.
ICE officials, however, told CBS News that immigrants are offered "comprehensive medical care", including access to 24-hour emergency care. Advocates say that is "not corroborated by parents who spend time at Dilley."
Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) said that the House Judiciary Committee is planning on holding "long overdue" hearings on the state of the centers.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Tim is a staff writer at The Week and has contributed to Bedford and Bowery and The New York Transatlantic. He is a graduate of Occidental College and NYU's journalism school. Tim enjoys writing about baseball, Europe, and extinct megafauna. He lives in New York City.
-
The Icelandic women’s strike 50 years onIn The Spotlight The nation is ‘still no paradise’ for women, say campaigners
-
Mall World: why are people dreaming about a shopping centre?Under The Radar Thousands of strangers are dreaming about the same thing and no one sure why
-
Why scientists are attempting nuclear fusionThe Explainer Harnessing the reaction that powers the stars could offer a potentially unlimited source of carbon-free energy, and the race is hotting up
-
NY attorney general asks public for ICE raid footageSpeed Read Rep. Dan Goldman claims ICE wrongly detained four US citizens in the Canal Street raid and held them for a whole day without charges
-
Trump’s huge ballroom to replace razed East WingSpeed Read The White House’s east wing is being torn down amid ballroom construction
-
Trump expands boat strikes to Pacific, killing 5 moreSpeed Read The US military destroyed two more alleged drug smuggling boats in international waters
-
Whistles emerge as Chicago’s tool to fight ICEIN THE SPOTLIGHT As federal agents continue raiding the city, communities have turned to noisemakers to create a warning system
-
Trump demands millions from his administrationSpeed Read The president has requested $230 million in compensation from the Justice Department for previous federal investigations
-
Trump nominee in limbo after racist texts leakSpeed Read Paul Ingrassia lost Republican support following the exposure of past racist text messages
-
Trump begins East Wing demolition for ballroomspeed read The president’s new construction will cost $250 million
-
Appeals court clears Trump’s Portland troop deploymentSpeed Read A divided federal appeals court ruled that President Trump can send the National Guard to Portland
