Congress must investigate concentration camps and stop ICE expansion

The inhumane conditions being reported at the hastily-built immigration detention facility in Florida's Everglades are appalling and unacceptable. Detainees have described lack of running water, scarce and insect-infested food, unsanitary conditions with toilets not flushing, extreme temperatures due to lack of proper temperature controls, and an overall environment treating human beings like "rats in an experiment" instead of with basic dignity. Immigration attorneys have been barred from meeting confidentially with clients at the facility. Experts have warned the facility may not withstand severe storms common to the area. This is on top of the broader issues plaguing ICE detention centers nationwide due to severe overcrowding - detainees denied food, water, and medical care, held in cramped processing rooms for days, and subjected to improper mental health treatment. The American people demand Congress take immediate action to thoroughly investigate the appalling conditions at this Florida facility and others like it across the country. Comprehensive public hearings must be held, putting the horrific realities of this administration's detention regime on full display. It is unconscionable that as the administration ramps up deportations, including of non-criminal immigrants, they have eliminated federal watchdog offices meant to oversee these very conditions. On top of the lack of oversight, the $171 billion escalation of mass deportations enabled by the MAGA Republican Congress is unconscionable. At the grassroots level, such draconian policies can be overcome through principled resistance. Brave sanctuary cities have refused to assist ICE, civil disobedience has disrupted raids, and public outcry has forced changes. Additionally, Congress must act to halt any further expansion of these inhumane immigration jails until human rights standards can be met and enforced. This cruelty being carried out on U.S. soil with taxpayer dollars is a moral stain on our nation. Robust oversight and concrete steps to remedy these human rights violations are imperative.