1. United States
2. Md.
3. Letter

I am writing to demand immediate action regarding serious allegations of sexual abuse and harm at a detention facility. These allegations require an urgent, independent investigation to protect vulnerable children and women in federal custody. I am requesting that you immediately call for an unbiased investigation conducted by independent medical professionals, including doctors and experienced therapists who specialize in trauma and abuse. These professionals must be granted unrestricted access to examine and speak privately with every child and woman at this detention center to determine whether they are being sexually abused or otherwise harmed. The investigation must be conducted by experts with no ties to the facility's management or the agencies overseeing it. The federal government has a legal and moral obligation to ensure the safety of individuals in its custody. When credible allegations of abuse emerge, particularly involving children and women in detention settings where power imbalances are extreme, swift action is not optional. Delayed response sends a message that these lives are expendable and that accountability is negotiable. This investigation must include comprehensive medical examinations, trauma-informed interviews conducted in languages detainees understand, and documentation of any evidence of abuse. Investigators must have the authority to review facility records, interview staff, and make unannounced visits. The findings must be made public to ensure transparency and accountability. I expect you to use your position to demand this investigation immediately. Contact the relevant oversight committees and agencies today. Request a briefing on the current conditions at this facility and the steps being taken to protect detainees. Publicly call for independent oversight and commit to following through until every person in that facility has been examined and their safety assured. The time for action is now. These are human beings whose safety depends on your willingness to act decisively. I will be watching closely to see how you respond to this crisis.