Investigation Finds Widespread Abuse in US Detention Facilities Affecting Pregnant Women and Children
A US Senate investigation led by Senator Jon Ossoff uncovered 41 cases of physical and sexual abuse in detention facilities across 25 US states, Puerto Rico, military bases, and charter flights. The abuse included 14 pregnant detainees and 18 children under age 2. Cases involved severe medical neglect, such as miscarriages without medical care, denied prenatal checkups, and children being hospitalized repeatedly without treatment. The investigation found most abuse in Texas, Georgia, and California, involving both DHS and ICE facilities. The report cites witness interviews, site inspections, and news investigations as evidence of systemic mistreatment of vulnerable populations. The US is expanding its detention capacity to over 107,000 beds, raising concerns about human rights and public oversight.