ICE's Transfer of Transgender Women to Remote Detention Facility Raises Grave Concerns Beth Werlin - Immigration Impact
go to original August 30, 2015

Earlier this summer, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), announced new policies regarding transgender adult detainees in its custody - policies that were intended to provide a “respectful, safe and secure environment for all detainees.” While some of the announced policies were well-received, many advocates identified serious shortcomings, including the continued allowance of solitary confinement and insufficient details on implementation of protections for this population.

More recent news that ICE intends to transfer transgender women to the Adelanto Detention Facility in California - a facility with a history of human rights abuses - has raised additional concerns that the immigration agency is failing to live up to its promises and has highlighted systemic defects in the current immigration detention system.

In a letter sent last week, LGBTQ rights, civil rights and immigrant rights organizations urged President Obama to change course regarding the transfer of transgender women to Adelanto. As the letter highlights, the Adelanto Detention Facility is run by the private prison corporation, GEO Group (GEO). GEO has a record of abusing detained individuals, including those most vulnerable, such as families, transgender women, and individuals with mental health disabilities. According to the letter:

“...attorneys and formerly detained people have reported abuses including solitary confinement, denial of medical care, and pervasive sexual harassment of transgender women at GEO Group facilities…. GEO Group cannot be trusted to care for transgender women or house them safely.”

Read the rest at Immigration Impact

Related: Newly-Released Government Docs Reveal Dangerous Flaws in Immigration Detention Contracting (Immigration Impact)

Photo: awnisALAN

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