Hundreds of alleged human rights abuses in immigrant detention, report finds

Source: NBC News

Aug. 5, 2025, 3:44 PM EDT


A monthslong probe by the office of Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., compiled hundreds of alleged human rights violations at immigration detention centers, according to a new report about his probe first obtained by NBC News.

The report states that Ossoff’s office has “identified 510 credible reports of human rights abuse” against people in immigration custody. Of these cases, 41 include allegations of physical or sexual abuse, as well as 18 alleged reports of mistreatment of children in custody, both U.S. citizens and noncitizens, and 14 alleged reports of mistreatment of pregnant women.

The report cites a Department of Homeland Security official who anonymously reported to Ossoff’s office seeing pregnant women sleeping on floors in overcrowded intake cells. It also stated that a pregnant detainee who spoke with Ossoff’s staff described repeatedly requesting medical attention and being told to “just drink water” instead of getting a checkup. Another detainee at an immigration processing center in Louisiana, who was six months pregnant, told Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., while the congresswoman was visiting the facility that she nearly miscarried twice after being detained, according to the report.

In response to an NBC News request for comment about the report’s allegations, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in an email, “Any claim that there are subprime conditions at ICE detention centers are false.”

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/immigration-detention-human-rights-abuses-report-rcna222499