Homeland Security report faults care of detained immigrants

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An internal investigation by the Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general into the deaths of immigrants detained by the government has recommended better access to medical care, stronger oversight and general improvements in detention standards, reports Nicole Gaouette of the Los Angeles Times from Washington.

But investigators in the limited probe commended officials at Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the agency that oversees immigrant detentions, for adhering to standards they are supposed to follow after detainees have died.

Critics said that although the report’s recommendations mirrored their concerns about detainee care, the narrow scope of the inquiry reinforced how little information Homeland Security provides about detainees and the overall lack of accountability for their care.

The deaths of legal and illegal immigrants in detention have drawn widespread attention in the last year, resulting in lawsuits, investigative reports, the attention of a special United Nations investigator and two bills in Congress. This Washington Post series took a close look at the state of immigrant detention.

-- Deborah Bonello in Mexico City