TUCSON, Ariz.
Some female immigrants in detention awaiting decisions on deportation have been mistreated or neglected, according to University of Arizona researchers.
Nina Rabin, J.D. of the Southwest Institute for Research on Women, presented the findings of a study, “Unseen Prisoners: A Report on Women in Immigration Detention Facilities in Arizona” at a lecture to students and faculty last week at the University of Arizona.
The Tucson Citizen reported that Rabin told the audience that researchers found evidence of negligence in medical care, severe conditions and an absence of programs for women in detention.
“Some women are deported quite quickly, but for those who want to exercise their legal rights, it could be a really long process, sometimes up to two years,” Rabin said.
For the study, students and researchers from the institute have conducted more than 50 interviews with current and former detainees, attorneys and social service providers in southern Arizona.
The Citizen said Rabin would not elaborate on details or specific cases until the report is made public at the beginning of next year.
