Thompson & Maloney Release Statement on DHS Severing Ties with ICE Facility After Joint Investigation into Allegations of Abuse
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, and Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), Chairwoman of the Oversight and Reform Committee, released the below statement on news that Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has ordered U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to sever its ties with the Irwin County Detention Center (ICDC) in Georgia, an ICE facility run by LaSalle Corrections.
Last year, disturbing allegations of detainee mistreatment stemming from a whistleblower complaint – including forced medical procedures and COVID-19 protocol violations – were made regarding the facility. The Committees on Homeland Security and Oversight & Reform commenced a joint investigation into these allegations in September 2020 but were stonewalled by LaSalle and ICE which resulted in the company being subpoenaed by Congress.
“We are pleased that Secretary Mayorkas took this action today,” said the Chairs. “It is yet another sign that he continues to take steps to improve our immigration system, ensuring it is humane and in line with our values. Thankfully, we now have an Administration that is taking allegations of abuse seriously after the previous Administration made it very clear migrant health and safety were not a top priority. It is imperative that we treat those in our care humanely and make sure we have proper safeguards in place to protect them. Our investigation into this facility will remain ongoing.”
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Press Contact
Adam Comis (Thompson): (202) 225-9978
Aryele Bradford (Oversight and Reform): 202-226-5181
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