Lawmakers From Georgia Seek ICE Response on Disability Treatment Concerns
U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff and U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath of Georgia are calling on the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement to ensure that people with disabilities in immigration detention receive proper accommodations.
In a letter sent to federal officials this week, the lawmakers said they have received reports of medical neglect inside detention facilities.
They warned that delays or denials of medical care can be especially harmful for people with disabilities.
Lawmakers Point to Reports of Medical Neglect
Ossoff and McBath said individuals with disabilities may face greater risks when detention facilities fail to provide timely medical care or necessary accommodations.
Their letter asks federal agencies to explain how they identify detained people with disabilities and how they ensure compliance with disability access requirements.
Rodney Taylor Case Cited as High-Profile Example
One widely reported case involved Rodney Taylor, an Atlanta-area man who was held in immigration detention for more than a year.
Taylor, a double amputee, said he was forced to crawl across dirty bathroom floors at Stewart Detention Center in South Georgia because of inadequate accommodations.
He was released earlier this year. Taylor and his wife have said they plan to continue advocating for other people with disabilities who remain in detention.
Letter Signed by Dozens of Lawmakers
The letter from Ossoff and McBath was signed by dozens of senators and representatives, including other lawmakers from Georgia.
Nearly all of the signers are Democrats, along with one Independent who usually votes with Democrats.
Questions Sent to DHS and ICE
The lawmakers are asking DHS and ICE to answer several questions about disability access in detention facilities.
They want to know how ICE identifies people with disabilities during intake, how the agency monitors compliance with disability accommodation rules and whether any of the billions of dollars in recently approved immigration enforcement funding will be used for health care needs or disability accommodations.
Agencies Did Not Respond by Deadline
DHS and ICE officials did not respond to WABE’s request for comment before the deadline.
Jon Ossoff and Lucy McBath are pressing federal immigration officials to address disability accommodations and medical care in detention facilities. Their letter highlights concerns about medical neglect, asks how ICE identifies and supports people with disabilities, and questions whether new immigration enforcement funding will help cover health care and accessibility needs.