“I shouldn’t have lost my fingers,” one detainee said, his voice filled with regret and frustration. He was referring to the lack of proper medical care he received while in the custody of ICE guards at New York’s largest ICE prison. This is just one of the many allegations of shoddy medical care that have been plaguing the facility, causing concern and outrage among human rights activists and advocates.
The facility in question is the Bergen County Jail, located in Hackensack, New Jersey. It is the largest ICE prison in New York, with a capacity of over 1,200 detainees. The jail has been under scrutiny for its treatment of detainees, particularly in terms of their medical needs. According to a report by The Intercept, detainees have been denied access to proper medical care, resulting in serious consequences for their health.
One detainee, who suffers from diabetes, was denied access to insulin for several days, despite a doctor’s prescription. As a result, he lost two of his fingers due to complications from the disease. Another detainee, who had a history of seizures, was not given his medication and suffered a seizure while in custody. These are just a few examples of the neglect and mistreatment that detainees have faced at the hands of ICE guards.
The lack of proper medical care at the Bergen County Jail has been an ongoing issue, with reports dating back to 2017. Despite this, little has been done to address the problem. In fact, the facility has continued to receive high ratings from the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General, despite numerous complaints and evidence of inadequate medical care.
This is not just a problem at the Bergen County Jail. Similar issues have been reported at other ICE detention centers across the country. The Intercept’s report highlights the systemic failures within the immigration detention system, where detainees are often treated as less than human and their basic rights are disregarded.
The mistreatment of detainees at the Bergen County Jail is not just a violation of their human rights, but it is also a failure of our justice system. These individuals are not criminals, they are simply seeking a better life in the United States. They should not be subjected to inhumane treatment while in the custody of the government.
It is time for action to be taken to address the issue of inadequate medical care at ICE detention centers. The government must be held accountable for the mistreatment of detainees and steps must be taken to ensure that their basic medical needs are met. This includes providing access to proper medication, timely medical attention, and adequate healthcare facilities.
Furthermore, there needs to be more transparency and oversight in the immigration detention system. The government must be held accountable for the conditions in which detainees are being held and the treatment they receive. This can only be achieved through increased monitoring and reporting of the conditions at these facilities.
As a nation, we must also examine our immigration policies and the treatment of immigrants in our country. The mistreatment of detainees at the Bergen County Jail is just one example of the injustices faced by immigrants in the United States. It is time for us to come together and demand change.
In conclusion, the mistreatment and neglect of detainees at the Bergen County Jail is a grave violation of their human rights. It is a failure of our justice system and a reflection of the systemic issues within the immigration detention system. It is time for the government to take action and address these issues, and for us as a society to demand change and stand up for the basic rights of all individuals, regardless of their immigration status.
