Overcrowded Detention Centers & the Health Risks for Immigrants

El Paso, Texas recently experienced a surge of immigrants crossing the border from Central America. An estimated 10,000 immigrants illegally crossed the U.S.-Mexican border over the month of March. Unfortunately, both U.S. citizens and undocumented immigrants are suffering negative consequences as a result.

Nearly all immigrant travelers are suffering from some type of medical issue, including dehydration and influenza. Many others have additional types of medical conditions requiring immediate attention. In some instances, an infant may be suffering from a high fever, a person may have a pre-existing heart condition, or injuries sustained during their travels north.

Overcrowded Detention Centers

Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents report massive overflows in the number of immigrants they are obligated to detain and process individually. The detention centers are simply not equipped to hold the number of men, women, and children who have surged into the border city all at once. The detention centers are overcrowded and, unfortunately, ill-equipped with the cleanliness and consistent supply of sanitary products they need.

Asylum Seekers

Currently, asylum seekers are granted the right to prove their case before an immigration court once they reach U.S. soil. However, interaction with the court system on behalf of a person may take years due to a flooded immigration system. Many people are awaiting communication with an immigration official, but they cannot always be held at the detention center while waiting their turn.

There is a very real immigration crisis happening right now at the border, and it demands legal attention to the immigration policies currently in place. Until changes take place, immigrants and their loved ones are urged to seek professional legal counsel when their rights are violated. Immigrant matters are often expedited when a lawyer is working on them, helping to avoid the long wait times.