Apparently, the Miami-Dade County Corrections system isn't the only lockup that has problems keeping its inmates healthy and alive. The Washington Post is running a four-day series on the hidden world of immigration detention facilities -- and how detainees awaiting deportation receive shoddy medical care.
The paper found that 83 people have died in recent years in these federal facilities. One well publicized case happened right here in Miami: the uncle of Haitian-American writer Edwidge Danticat died in Nov. 2004 at Krome after not receiving medical care. The elderly man, named Joseph Dantica, had arrived in Miami on a flight from Haiti, with a valid visa, and he was still denied help. The Post highlights Dantica's case and several others. Many stories involve immigrants who lived in Florida and found themselves sick, or dead, behind bars. There's also a few Cubans who died in detention facilities around the country, as well.
The series is a must-read. The reporters amassed thousands of pages of federal documents and inmate letters, and have placed many on the paper's website. -- Tamara Lush
The answer simply is, don't come to the United States if you don't have permission. If they do not want to get arrested and be placed in a detention center for deportation, then apply for legal entry. Perhaps those individuals who complain about our prison system, should try a few months in a Latin American correctional facility. If relatives do not pay for your food, your likely to starve. The conditions in these establishments are appalling.
If Democrats endorse the Federal SAVE ACT (H.R.4088), it would go a long way in emptying immigration detention institutions. If illegal immigrants realize they are unlikely to get a job from parasite employers. Its common sense that they would not waste their time jumping the border fence.
YOU CAN ALSO CALL your Congressmen today, and demand they co-author The Federal SAVE ACT (H.R. 4088). Toll free at 18778516437 and 1866-2200044 & 12022243121 AND REGISTER YOUR OUTRAGE. Also petition to build the border fence as originally planned at grassfire.
Posted at: May 12, 2008 12:02 PM