Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Statement on Inspector General Report Detailing Unsafe Conditions at Detention Facilities and Lack of Oversight by ICE

WASHINGTON— Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, released the following statement in response to the Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General Report "ICE Does Not Fully Use Contracting Tools to Hold Detention Facility Contractors Accountable for Failing to Meet Performance Standards:"

"This report is deeply troubling and confirms what we have known for far too long: ICE is endangering the health, safety, and lives of immigrants at detention facilities. According to the report, only 28 of 106 contracted detention facilities included plans to meet standards prescribed by the Department of Homeland Security. These facilities, which ICE has paid over $3 billion in taxpayer dollars, are leaving immigrant families in inhumane and dangerous conditions with no accountability or recourse. This follows a similar report from the Inspector General in June.

"We've seen the cost of this negligence. In the last year alone, we've witnessed unimaginable suffering at these detention facilities, including a number of deaths. Pregnant women are shackled and denied critical medical services, and last year a toddler died after becoming ill while in ICE custody.

"The Hispanic Caucus will not stand for these injustices and human rights abuses. For too long, ICE and CBP have operated with little oversight and accountability and this is just another example of the need for greater accountability of these agencies. We will continue to call for greater oversight, continued investigations and hearings on ICE abuses and will hold this Administration accountable for its cruel immigration practices. We must hold ICE and its contractors to the highest standard in ensuring proper care for immigrant communities."

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The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), founded in December 1976, is organized as a Congressional Member organization, governed under the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives. The CHC is dedicated to voicing and advancing, through the legislative process, issues affecting Hispanics in the United States, Puerto Rico and U.S. Territories.