Since January, Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff (Georgia) led an investigation into human rights abuses of pregnant immigrants and children in ICE detention centers. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The report published on July 31 identified 41 credible reports of physical and sexual abuse, 14 credible reports of abuse of pregnant women, and 18 credible reports of abuse of minors.

Despite the evidence presented by the senator, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), on which ICE depends, denies that such abuses exist, although it does not respond to all of the accusations documented in Senator Ossoff's report.

The agency even contradicts itself regarding the supervision of detention centers, because not only has Ossoff been prevented from entering those prisons, but there is even a lawsuit against ICE from more than a dozen congressmen, due to the impediment to reviewing the conditions in which they are kept detained and undocumented immigrants are being processed.

“The Senator’s staff has received or identified 41 credible reports of individuals who have suffered physical or sexual abuse in DHS custody,” warns the senator’s report on different centers in California and Texas. “Detainees have reported being beaten by detention center staff and placed in solitary confinement after reporting the abuse.”

This allegation was not refuted by the DHS report issued Friday.

In his report, “Abuse of Pregnant Women and Children in U.S. Immigration Detention Centers,” Senator Ossoff reports that he had access to official reports as well as interviews with immigration attorneys.

“Attorneys have reported that one client held at the Processing Services Center in El Paso, Texas, was 'thrown to the floor, handcuffed, and marched out… for stepping out of line in the lunchroom.' Guards reportedly nearly broke his wrists,” he describes.

Several public reports describe two 911 calls from the ICE Processing Center in Adelanto, California, reporting sexual assaults or threats of sexual assault; Four other calls were reported for the same case from the South Texas ICE Processing Center.

“Attorneys have reported that staff at a CBP facility forced at least seven detainees into uncomfortable positions as punishment for laughing and talking,” other findings indicate.

Senator Ossoff’s report adds irregularities at federal prisons where ICE sends immigrants, under a memorandum of understanding with the Bureau of Prisons.

“Although detainees are required to be housed separately from inmates, public reports describe that one detainee was relocated to a prison dormitory for behavioral treatment, where he was reportedly assaulted by an inmate,” it states.

Another irregularity It happened at the Federal Detention Center in Miami, Florida, where inmates reported being left in a “small room” for hours, “with only one toilet and no access to food, water, or medical care.”

“When they flooded the toilet in protest, officers threw flash-bang grenades into the room and shot the men with what appeared to be rubber bullets or pellets,” it states. “Furthermore, they handcuffed them with zip ties that cut into their wrists when the detainees asked for food, water, and medication.”

What does ICE say?

DHS denies the accusations made by the Democratic senator from Georgia, although the agency’s claims are unverifiable due to its policy of keeping members of Congress out of the loop for oversight, as stated in a complaint filed with the District Court in Washington, DC.

“Senator Ossoff’s false accusations about poor living conditions have been repeatedly denied by DHS,” said DHS Deputy Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “ICE detention centers are held to higher standards than most U.S. prisons that hold American citizens. All detainees receive comprehensive medical care, adequate food, and the opportunity to communicate with their families and attorneys.”

Members of Congress from California, New York, New Jersey, New Mexico, and other states have attempted to enter ICE detention centers, but have been blocked by federal authorities.

“Senator Ossoff has never been denied access to any ICE facility,” the DHS report states.

The lawsuit in Washington, DC, could shed light on whether or not members of Congress have been allowed unrestricted access to carry out their oversight duties.

ICE also denies that immigrants are denied medical care, but there are reports at prisons like “Alligator Alcatraz” where people face lack of care and at least one death has been reported there.

At least 13 people have died in ICE facilities during the current fiscal year.

ICE also claims there has been no abuse or lack of medical care for pregnant women.

“Pregnant women receive regular prenatal visits, mental health services, nutritional support, and accommodations that meet community standards of care,” the agency says, but this also cannot be verified without congressional oversight.