A high profile visit by New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to a migrant detention center in Texas on Monday has drawn attention to the sub-standard conditions in which the migrants are housed
Ocasio-Cortez described conditions as “horrifying” and called the treatment of migrants dehumanising with officers forcing women to drink out of toilets. She also denounced sexualised threats made against her allegedly by Customs and Border Protection officers in the run up to her visit.
Inspectors at the facility noted only four showers were available for 756 immigrants and more than half of whom were being held outdoors. Migrants inside the facility were being housed in cells at more than five times their intended capacity: a cell designed to hold a maximum of 35 persons held 155 adult males with only one toilet and sink. Rooms were so crowded, many detainees were unable to lie down to sleep.
The true nature of the conditions of the facilities flies in the face of statements made by the homeland security secretary, Kevin McAleenan at a news conference last week, during which he claimed the detention centres were clean and well-managed despite a report to the contrary showing children inside the centers with insufficient food and wearing soiled clothing and diapers.
