Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Latino detainees among unreported deaths

Yet another reason why immigration reform is needed ASAP:
U.S. immigration officials say they have discovered the records of 10 previously unreported deaths of immigrants detained in U.S. custody since 2003. Eight of the dead were Cuban nationals, one was from Ecuador and one from Mexico. The American Civil Liberties Union says deficient medical care is believed to be a leading cause of death among immigrant detainees.

The 10 newly-discovered deaths bring the total number of immigrants who have died in U.S. immigration detention to 104 since October 2003. One additional detainee, Huluf Guangule Negusse, a 24-year-old Ethiopian, died on Friday in a Florida prison from the effects of a suicide attempt earlier this month. His death has not yet been added to the official roster.
No further comment necessary.

Image- Houston Chronicle (“A detainee awaits processing at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in north Houston.”)
Online Source - Voice of America

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