Grassley, Feinstein demand review of abuse of immigrants in detention

Two top senators called for an investigation Monday into reports of sexual abuse and other mistreatment of migrants being held in government custody.

The reported abuse, which included sexual abuse, assault and stripping and handcuffing of some migrants, happened to migrants in both Homeland Security detention facilities and in dorms run by the federal Health Department to hold Unaccompanied Alien Children.

Most of the reports date back years, to the Obama administration, which was admittedly overwhelmed by a surge of illegal immigrant children and families jumping the border.

But Sens. Chuck Grassley and Dianne Feinstein, the top Republican and Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, said the government must get to the bottom of what went on, and whether the agencies have cleaned up their act.

“These allegations demonstrate a long-term pattern of abuse warranting a thorough investigation into the claims, including the process and procedure by which any guards or contracted staff are hired, trained, and vetted,” the senators said.

They asked the inspectors general at both Homeland Security and Health and Human Services to investigate.