Immigrants comprise a significant portion of many Florida communities. U.S. immigration law is a hot topic that often sparks debate, with immigrant advocates and others weighing in on both sides of the issue. Two doctors say they are especially concerned about children residing in detention facilities throughout the country.
The two licensed physicians say they have witnessed conditions and incidents in detention centers that have prompted them to speak out against current immigration policies in the United States. The doctors have reportedly witnessed children suffering injuries when doors were slammed on their fingers. They also say one child lost one third of his body weight within several days’ time and that other children have suffered because incorrect vaccine dosage or misdiagnoses.
In a letter to members of the U.S. Congress, the doctors have stated that detaining children is never necessary in a civilized society because other, safer options exist. The licensed medical professionals say they filed numerous reports with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, detailing the troubling issues they discovered during inspection of more than 10 U.S. immigration detention facilities. They have since stated that none of their concerns were officially addressed.
U.S. immigration law is complex, and many immigrant advocates in Florida and elsewhere are concerned about proposed expansion of family immigration detention policies when they believe children, in particular, are at great risk. Immigrants currently facing legal problems regarding family immigration or detention issues may request consultations with experienced attorneys. Acting alongside legal representation often leads to a more positive outcome than might occur when trying to resolve a matter on one’s own.
