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TODAY a gov't watchdog agency @DHSOIG released a NEW REPORT showing - again - that @ICEgov violates human rights of the 50,000+ people in immigration jails. This thread pulls out that report's most appalling findings. oig.dhs.gov/sites/default/… 1/
Context: @DHSOIG & NGOs have REPEATEDLY raised red flags about unsafe conditions & impunity in @ICEgov jails. There’s no doubt @DHSgov leadership is aware of and intentionally furthering abuses in immigration jails. Round up of recent reports here: immigrantjustice.org/sites/default/… 2/
In today’s report, the @DHSOIG Inspector General (IG) reports out on inspections of 4 jails in California, New Jersey, Louisiana, and Colorado. In all 4 the IG found immigrants face “unsafe and unhealthy conditions” in violation of ICE's standards. oig.dhs.gov/sites/default/… 3/
3 of the jails are run by the private prison corp GEO Group, & the 4th is a county jail contracting w/ ICE. The Aurora, CO facility is notorious for woefully insufficient medical care, recently leading to the tragic in-custody death of Kamyar Samimi 4/ rmpbs.org/blogs/news/ice…
Inspector General finding: “All four facilities had issues with expired food, which puts detainees at risk for food-borne illnesses.” Inspectors observed “slimy, foul-smelling” food. This picture is of open packages of raw chicken blood “all over refrigeration units.” 5/ 
Inspector General finding: “At 3 facilities … segregation practices violated standards & infringed on detainee rights.” Report documents people put in solitary confinement without any offense, strip searched prior to placement in solitary & generally treated without humanity. 6/
These findings come on the heels of this exposé showing @ICEgov's use of solitary to be so abusive & widespread as to constitute torture. “After the first or second week, I lost my mind,” recalls one man who was jailed in solitary for nearly 7 weeks. 7/ nbcnews.com/politics/immig…
Inspector General finding: Two of the jails don't have any outdoor recreation. Imagine being jailed for months on end, while defending against deportation, without ever feeling sun on your skin. This picture shows the only sunlight immigrants in Aurora, CO jail will ever see. 8/
Inspector General finding: Bathrooms in two of the jails were “dilapidated and moldy.” In the Essex, NJ jail, mold “permeated all walls in the bathroom area.... These environmental conditions present health risks .... allergic reactions and persistent illnesses.” 9/
Inspector General finding: Jails make it difficult if not impossible for immigrants to care for their own hygiene. In one jail, people were given clothing so big it did not even stay on. The jails don’t provide enough basic hygiene items, such as toothpaste and toothbrushes. 10/
Inspector General finding: In the Aurora, CO jail immigrants are only allowed to visit with their loved ones through “non-contact visits,” even though the jail could accommodate in-person visitation. Imagine not being able to hold your spouse's or child's hand for months. 11/
Immigration detention is a weapon the administration wields to further its illegal & immoral goals of deterring asylum seekers & terrorizing immigrant communities. There are alternatives, if there is political will. immigrantjustice.org/research-items… 13/
Right now, Congress is considering giving @ICEgov more money to jail & abuse more immigrants. Join us in calling on elected officials to refuse to be complicit, and demand cuts in @DHSgov's immigration enforcement budget. #DefundHate #EndDetention immigrantjustice.org/index.php/pres… 14/
TAKE ACTION: Tell your members of Congress to demand cuts in @DHSgov's immigration enforcement budget to lock up, abuse, & deport our immigrant neighbors. #DefundHate #EndDetention 15/15 immigrantjustice.salsalabs.org/defundhateacti…
