Thread by @latimes

Since 2017, at least 265 calls made to police through 911 and nonemergency lines have reported violence and abuse inside California’s four privately run federal detention centers overseen by ICE, a Times investigation found.

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People in ICE detention are not serving time for crimes — they are being held while judges decide whether they should be deported.

Many are asylum seekers, and most have no criminal history. The federal government is responsible for their safety.

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California’s ICE detention centers are supposed to comply with care and safety standards set by ICE. But the staff are not law enforcement officers and do not have the authority to conduct criminal investigations.

Any allegations of abuse must be reported to local authorities.

Half the hundreds of calls from ICE facilities reported alleged sex crimes, including rape, sexual assault and abuse against detainees. The rest were to report assault, battery and other threats of violence against detainees and staff.

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In only three cases in which detainees said they were victimized did records show a suspect was charged. In two of those, the suspects were deported before they could be arrested.

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For years, advocates and detainees have complained about unchecked violence within these facilities.
The Times examined of public records and interviewed federal and local officials as well as detention center representatives and detainees.
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What emerged is a picture of a system in which violence can be perpetuated against detainees with impunity. Detainees were banned from calling 911, according to ICE, and forced to rely on others to report allegations on their behalf.
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Read more from @palomaesquivel and @andreamcastillo
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