In the United States, a monthslong investigation has compiled reports of hundreds of human rights violations at immigration jails nationwide, including physical and sexual abuse, as well as violence against detained children and pregnant women.
The probe was led by the office of Georgia Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff.
In related news, in New York, new data show ICE has arrested over 2,300 people at federal immigration courthouses and offices since January — a nearly 200% increase from the months before Trump returned to office.
That’s according to The New York Times, which detailed how immigrants are summoned to court hearings or appointments with federal agents, only to be ambushed and taken into custody.
Advocates have denounced the secrecy surrounding the arrests, and have launched a protest camp in a public park in Manhattan next to ICE’s office and immigration courthouses at 26 Federal Plaza to demand an end to the crackdown.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has launched a pilot program to require some visa applicants to pay bonds of up to $15,000.
First to be affected are tourists and business travelers from Zambia and Malawi, who will forfeit the payments if they overstay their visas after a maximum of six months.
The Trump administration says it may amend the program to include other countries.
