Chu and Grijalva Call for Probe of Sexual Assaults, Harassment Claims by Immigrants in Detention

Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA) and Congressman Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) called for the creation of a special committee in the Justice Department to look for a “pattern or practice” of sexual assault in detention facilities that hold immigrants facing deportation. According to data from the DHS Office of Inspector General, there were 1,016 detainee reports of sexual abuse or assault between May 2014 and July 2016. The IG investigated just 24, about 2% of those allegations. “These are immigrants who are undergoing asylum requests or deportation hearings, and they are put completely at the mercy of others who are sometimes abusing in unscrupulous ways,” said Chu. On Monday, more than 70 members of Congress signed a letter urging the Department of Homeland Security to investigate “the prevalence of reports of sexual abuse, assault and harassment of immigrants in U.S. immigration detention.” More here.