The hidden side of America: Detention Centers
Here is a radio piece I did about detention centers. They are jail-like places were people are put when they come to the US and announce that they want to apply for asylum. One can also end up there if you are an undocumented immigrant, or a green card holder who has been convicted of a crime. They are essentially deportation centers, and in many of those detention centers the detainees are treated worse than inmates in jails are. A total of 68 people have died in detention since 2004.
One such case is that of HIV-positive 23-year-old Victor Arellano, who died last year when he was held in detention and was denied proper medical treatment.
Hiu Lui Ng is another person that died in detention, earlier this year. He complained about backpain for months but didn’t get to see a doctor until his spine had fractured and he couldn’t walk anymore. He died of cancer at the age of 34.
Listen to the piece to find out more about detention centers. You can also go to the Detention Watch Network website or watch the movie The Visitor. It’s a great movie, I really recommend it.
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