The U.S.
Department of Homeland Security provides inadequate care for
illegal immigrant detainees with HIV or AIDS, according to a
new report by a civil rights group.
The study by
Human Rights Watch concluded that facilities failed to
deliver complete antiretroviral regimens consistently,
failed to prescribe prophylactic medications to
prevent infections, and failed to ensure continuity of
care when detainees transferred facilities.
''We found the
medical care in three types of facilities, representing
nine states, was delayed, interrupted or inconsistent,''
said Megan McLemore, who authored the report.
The group says it
issued the report to encourage the government to
improve the screening and treatment of infected detainees at
government or privately contracted facilities that
house about 30,000 immigrants daily.
Virginia Kice, a
spokeswoman for U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement, said the disagreed with the findings. Kice said
that ''ensuring the welfare and safety of those in our
custody is one of our top priorities.''
McLemore
interviewed current and former detainees, and Homeland
Security and detention facility officials in
California, Alabama, New Jersey, Virginia, and several
other states.
The survey was
prompted by the death of a 23-year-old transgender inmate
at a San Pedro facility. Victor Arellano, who had AIDS, was
denied treatment and became gravely ill. He died on
July 20. (AP)