U.S. lawmaker describes 'horrifying' conditions at Texas migrant facility

By Julio-Cesar Chavez

 

U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, standing near Rep. Joaquin Castro, speaks to the news media after she and other members of Congress toured two Border patrol stations following reports of migrants kept in inadequate condtions, in Clint, Texas, U.S. July 1, 2019. REUTERS/Julio-Cesar Chavez

 

CLINT, Texas (Reuters) - Migrants held at a border patrol station in Texas were being kept in "horrifying" conditions that included psychological abuse and being told to drink out of toilets, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said after a visit to the facility with other U.S. lawmakers on Monday.

 

A delegation of lawmakers from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus were touring the border patrol facilities following reports from a government watchdog that immigrants were being housed in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions.

 

First-term Democratic Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez wrote on Twitter after leaving the main border patrol station in El Paso that she had seen women in cells with no water who had been told to drink out of toilets.

 

"After I forced myself into a cell w/ women&began speaking to them, one of them described their treatment at the hands of officers as "psychological warfare," she wrote.

 

"This has been horrifying so far."

 

Reuters could not independently confirm her account. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which oversees Border Patrol, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on her statements.

 

 

Conditions at U.S. facilities holding migrants along the U.S.-Mexico border have become a flashpoint in recent weeks after an internal government watchdog warned of "dangerous overcrowding" at the El Paso facility in May. In June, immigration lawyers raised alarms over squalid conditions facing hundreds of children at another facility in Clint, Texas. The lawmakers visited both Texas facilities on Monday.

 

U.S. President Donald Trump has made cracking down on illegal immigration a centrepiece of his administration, but officials say a renewed crush of mostly Central Americans arriving at the border has strained resources.

 

FACEBOOK GROUP

The Border Patrol also came under fire on Monday following a report by the non-profit news site ProPublica that said offensive content had been posted on a private Facebook group for current and former CBP officers. Posts included jokes about the deaths of migrants and sexually explicit comments referencing Ocasio-Cortez, a representative from New York, the news outlet reported.

 

After leaving the El Paso facility, Ocasio-Cortez wrote in a tweet, "I see why CBP officers were being so physically & sexually threatening towards me," an apparent reference to the Facebook group.

 

CBP condemned the Facebook group and acknowledged that it may include a number of the agency's employees.

 

Matthew Klein, Assistant Commissioner of CBP's Office of Professional Responsibility, called the social media activity "disturbing" and said it violated the agency's code of conduct. Klein said the matter had been referred to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) inspector general, which has jurisdiction over the CBP.

 

According to a screen shot published by ProPublica, the Facebook group had 9,500 members.

 

"These posts are completely inappropriate and contrary to the honour and integrity I see - and expect - from our agents day in and day out. Any employees found to have violated our standards of conduct will be held accountable," U.S. Border Patrol Chief Carla Provost said in a statement.

 

Border Patrol agents have expressed their own concerns about conditions at facilities, according to documents published Monday from the DHS Inspector General that supported the watchdog's May report.

 

The documents revealed U.S. agents feared riots by migrants being held in overcrowded and unsanitary cells and were "embarrassed" and "frustrated" by the detainees' conditions at El Paso.

 

The documents https://bit.ly/2XgmO5b were obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request from website MuckRock and first reported by NBC News on Monday. They showed DHS inspectors had found on a May 7 visit https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-border/government-watchdog-finds-dangerous-overcrowding-at-u-s-border-facility-idUSKCN1T12GI that more than half of the 756 immigrants being held at the El Paso facility were kept outside, and those inside were in cells packed at five times their capacity. 

 

Border Patrol agents "remained armed in the holding areas because of their concerns with the overcrowding that potentially could result in volatile situations," the documents revealed. Government inspectors saw migrants standing on toilets because there was not enough room in cells and other examples of unsanitary conditions leading to concerns about illness among the agents, the documents said.

 

CBP did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the documents. The U.S. government responded to the report in a letter to the watchdog included in the supporting documents. The situation "represents an acute and worsening crisis" and the surging numbers of migrants were overwhelming the agencies, the letter said.

 

Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan said in a statement on Monday he would be travelling to El Salvador for a two-day visit to discuss "the root causes of irregular migration" and would meet with Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez in Honduras.

 

He travelled to Guatemala last week for meetings that included discussions of a "third safe country" agreement, which could potentially limit who could apply for asylum in the United States.

 

(Reporting by Julio-Cesar Chavez in Clint, Texas; Reporting and writing by Mica Rosenberg in New York; Additional reporting from Andy Sullivan and Susan Heavey in Washington; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-07-02

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It’s unamerican and uncalled for there is no excuse none

Utterly disgraceful, especially for the "greatest nation on the planet." I do understand that the logistics involved, given the numbers make things complicated, but for the 21st century to be unable to provide basic hygiene, water and adequate food is inexcusable. I am not interested in whose fault it is, so spare me the posts about the terrible refugees, or the two sides of the politicians. This is an issue that demands immediate attention with no delays, no excuses, just action.

Thousands show up expecting free food, shelter and medical treatment. If insufficient facilities are unavailable, it's all your fault. If they die from the previously untreated medical conditions, it's all your fault.

 

If the illegal immigrants don't like the conditions, I'm quite sure they would be dropped back across the border if they request it.

10 minutes ago, darksidedog said:

Utterly disgraceful, especially for the "greatest nation on the planet." I do understand that the logistics involved, given the numbers make things complicated, but for the 21st century to be unable to provide basic hygiene, water and adequate food is inexcusable. I am not interested in whose fault it is, so spare me the posts about the terrible refugees, or the two sides of the politicians. This is an issue that demands immediate attention with no delays, no excuses, just action.

"but for the 21st century to be unable to provide basic hygiene, water and adequate food is inexcusable."

 

Surely such basics are available where they come from. No responsible person turns up in a foreign country expecting such items to be handed to them on a plate.

 

Nor would they not expect not to be incarcerated for breaking the laws of the country they've imposed themselves upon.

 

That's if we even believe such staples are being denied them. Since the arrival of social media we're quickly finding out how many politicians will lie to get attention. And votes.

Her "inspection" was no surprise to the facility, they would naturally want to show that it is well run, knowing how AOC operates I suspect she had her narrative planned before arrival. She wants open borders, no immigration enforcement at all. She is a proven fraud, be skeptical of anything she says.

Troll posts removed.  

 

22 minutes ago, yogi100 said:

"but for the 21st century to be unable to provide basic hygiene, water and adequate food is inexcusable."

 

Surely such basics are available where they come from. No responsible person turns up in a foreign country expecting such items to be handed to them on a plate.

 

Nor would they not expect not to be incarcerated for breaking the laws of the country they've imposed themselves upon.

 

That's if we even believe such staples are being denied them. Since the arrival of social media we're quickly finding out how many politicians will lie to get attention. And votes.

I think the main problem is that some are convinced that the vast majority are genuine 'asylum seekers', whereas others think that the vast majority are economic migrants.

 

And never the twain shall meet.

Edited July 2, 20197 yr by dick dasterdly

28 minutes ago, yogi100 said:

"but for the 21st century to be unable to provide basic hygiene, water and adequate food is inexcusable."

 

Surely such basics are available where they come from. No responsible person turns up in a foreign country expecting such items to be handed to them on a plate.

 

Nor would they not expect not to be incarcerated for breaking the laws of the country they've imposed themselves upon.

 

That's if we even believe such staples are being denied them. Since the arrival of social media we're quickly finding out how many politicians will lie to get attention. And votes.

Many of them do show up with basic supplies and with medication.   It is confiscated from them.   Did you think they were staying at the Holiday Inn?

 

Are they the same horrifying conditions that immigrant children had to endure under Obama?

Oh! Yes it was.

5 minutes ago, dick dasterdly said:

I think the main problem is that some are convinced that the vast majority are genuine 'asylum seekers', whereas others think that the vast majority are economic migrants.

 

And never the twain shall meet.

I’d disagree on that I think most agree most are economic migrants that being said all should be respected and shown due process there is no excuse none whatsoever for what’s happening 

26 minutes ago, daoyai said:

Her "inspection" was no surprise to the facility, they would naturally want to show that it is well run, knowing how AOC operates I suspect she had her narrative planned before arrival. She wants open borders, no immigration enforcement at all. She is a proven fraud, be skeptical of anything she says.

Proof?

It's great that America's "freedom" hypocrisy is being exposed on world stage. Not that it matters much to Trump's base.

17 minutes ago, Credo said:

Many of them do show up with basic supplies and with medication.   It is confiscated from them.   Did you think they were staying at the Holiday Inn?

 

In the UK we've been told that some are put up in motels. We're not told which motels they actually are, it could possibly be the the Holiday Inn chain. We put our ones up in bread and breakfast guest houses and hotels, we have very few motels as the driven distances are never very great. 

 

We can fully sympathise with you if it annoys your tax payers like it annoys ours. Little wonder you voted for Trump!

Edited July 2, 20197 yr by yogi100

15 minutes ago, Alan Michael said:

Are they the same horrifying conditions that immigrant children had to endure under Obama?

Oh! Yes it was.

Yes, conditions under Obama were horrifying until the Flores settlment. Now the Trump administration is trying to undo that.

"The Trump administration has sought to dismantle these protections, which are known as the “Flores Settlement,” including recently arguing in court that allowing children to sleep on cement floors without access to soap or toothbrushes is within the scope of the protections required by the settlement."

 https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/06/trump-child-immigrant-detention-no-toothpaste-obama.html

6 minutes ago, Tug said:

I’d disagree on that I think most agree most are economic migrants that being said all should be respected and shown due process there is no excuse none whatsoever for what’s happening 

So you agree that they are not "refugees" but economic migrants. There is a well established process for them, an application filed at a U.S. consulate or embassy.  Once they cross without said visa... they are criminals,  and yes, they are subjected to "due process'' under the law.  The toilet water drinking was supposedly told to AOC by one female detainee after the "congress member" forced her way into the cell to speak to her... highly suspect.  Hopefully since the tariff threat to Mexico has gotten them to strengthen their border with Guatemala the numbers of illegals will decrease and the U.S. can get on with deportations and get some control of the situation. ( 45 in 2020)

18 minutes ago, Tug said:

I’d disagree on that I think most agree most are economic migrants that being said all should be respected and shown due process there is no excuse none whatsoever for what’s happening 

As there are so many, perhaps a simplified, quicker process is in order?

 

Having said that, I'm not American so it has nothing to do with me.

just the other day a pic of aoc crying at a chain wire fence stating she was so upset looking through it  at the kids etc but a wider angle pic showed she was actually looking into a car park, she is full of sh*t and you cant believe a word she says, they even put up pics of kids in the cages blaming trump but it was from the obama era, democrats will lie through their teeth to cause problems. It is bad but seeing that several democrats are actually supplying money for all the illegals to get there they have to foot a lot of the blame, then they refuse to give more money to upgrade the facilities and blame trump again, this all a political bullsh*t fight 

3 minutes ago, daoyai said:

So you agree that they are not "refugees" but economic migrants. There is a well established process for them, an application filed at a U.S. consulate or embassy.  Once they cross without said visa... they are criminals,  and yes, they are subjected to "due process'' under the law.  The toilet water drinking was supposedly told to AOC by one female detainee after the "congress member" forced her way into the cell to speak to her... highly suspect.  Hopefully since the tariff threat to Mexico has gotten them to strengthen their border with Guatemala the numbers of illegals will decrease and the U.S. can get on with deportations and get some control of the situation. ( 45 in 2020)

Central America Refugee Crisis

Families and unaccompanied children are fleeing horrific gang violence.

https://www.unrefugees.org/emergencies/central-america/

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Migrants held at a border patrol station in Texas

They are not migrants. They are criminal illegal aliens. 

1 minute ago, NCC1701A said:

They are not migrants. They are criminal illegal aliens. 

Binary thinking much?

Post linking to a questionable meme has been removed.  

 

1 hour ago, Ozman52 said:

Thousands show up expecting free food, shelter and medical treatment. If insufficient facilities are unavailable, it's all your fault. If they die from the previously untreated medical conditions, it's all your fault.

 

If the illegal immigrants don't like the conditions, I'm quite sure they would be dropped back across the border if they request it.

Yes it is US fault. Thousands didnt just show up. Trump knew they were coming months in advance, he told you it was an emergency situation. Granted himself emergency powers to deal with it.

 

Then did nothing.

Russians embraced capitalism long ago. They had their experiment with Socialism when the Bolsheviks took over in 1917. And they’re not going back to it. Meanwhile, in Trump Ville , nearly half the country is running as fast as they can to Socialism. It’s clear that the Bolsheviks are no longer a threat to the US. They’re there and have been heartily welcomed for years. And their movement is firmly entrenched.

 A growing number of constituents believe quite adamantly that Socialism is absolutely the answer. A recent Gallup poll showed that 43% of Americans now prefer socialism to capitalism. 

And just as worrisome is that the same number of people believe Trump to be doing a great job.

Thank God I saw the writing on the wall in 2008 and left the US for a real “Land of the Free” being Australia

1 hour ago, bristolboy said:

Central America Refugee Crisis

Families and unaccompanied children are fleeing horrific gang violence.

https://www.unrefugees.org/emergencies/central-america/

That charity is not slow in asking for money is it. Mind you you can't blame 'em.

 

Their senior level professional carers in the US get 123,000 dollars a year. God knows what the top dogs get.

25 minutes ago, Sujo said:

Yes it is US fault. Thousands didnt just show up. Trump knew they were coming months in advance, he told you it was an emergency situation. Granted himself emergency powers to deal with it.

 

Then did nothing.

Uninvited foreign intruders are not his responsibility. He's made that quite clear from the start.

Send in independent inspectors not crazy biased liberals. 

3 minutes ago, BobBKK said:

Send in independent inspectors not crazy biased liberals. 

What's stopping the Trump admin from doing just that?

1 hour ago, Alan Michael said:

Are they the same horrifying conditions that immigrant children had to endure under Obama?

Oh! Yes it was.

Aaaaaaand it’s AOC. 

 

I can safely and immediately disregard anything this lunatic says.

 

Enjoy you're new spokesperson, Democrats.