Hundreds of alleged human rights abuses in US immigration detention centres, report finds

A new report has catalogued hundreds of alleged human rights abuses in US immigration detention centres, including physical and sexual abuse, mistreatment of pregnant women, and inadequate medical care.1

The report, prepared by the office of Democrat senator Jon Ossoff, said that it had received or identified 510 “credible reports” of human rights abuse against individuals held in immigration detention centres since 20 January 2025. These included reports of overcrowding and unsanitary living conditions, inadequate food and water, exposure to extreme temperatures, denial of access to attorneys, and family separations.

For the report, Ossoff’s team interviewed correctional staff, law enforcement officials, attorneys, detainees and their family members, doctors, and nurses. They also analysed public reports and court records and conducted site inspections of facilities run by the Department …