últimas notícias

Border agents at an El Paso, Texas, holding facility for illegal immigrants feared riots breaking out because of the complex’s poor conditions.

Department of Homeland Security’s Office of the Inspector General reviewed conditions at the unnamed facility on May 7, according to an internal report obtained by NBC News. The inspectors found the facility severely overcrowded with many detainees lacking basic hygienic products, such as soap and clean clothes.

“With limited access to showers and clean clothing, detainees were wearing soiled clothing for days or weeks,” the report said.

One holding cell was overcrowded by more than 4 times its holding capacity of 35, holding 155 adult males. The cell contained one sink and toilet.

Border agents at the facility remained armed in holding areas. Agents feared that the detainees would riot and attempt to break out of the facility over the poor conditions.

The internal report leaked after DHS Acting Secretary Kevin McAleenan told reporters on Friday that news reports describing poor conditions at a holding facility for illegal migrant children in Clint, Texas, were “unsubstantiated.”

The press conference was the first McAleenan had held in three months since taking over as acting DHS secretary. McAleenan spoke for about 11 minutes and took four questions before exiting.

The debate over the conditions at holding facilities for illegal immigrants has roiled Washington, D.C. The House passed a $4.6 billion bill for border funding last week after Democratic House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi conceded the border funding battle.

The Senate had already approved its version of the bill with an overwhelming bipartisan majority, placing Pelosi in a difficult position to use the bill as leverage against the Trump administration.

The DHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment.