Disturbing.
But one thing that jumped out at me was "The allegations put forth in this whistleblower complaint point to an alarming pattern of unsafe conditions and a lack of oversight at privately-run ICE facilities," (emphasis added) I didn't know that private prisons were a thing. I don't know WHY they're a thing. But I can't imagine that oversight is that great. I mean, it's not like our government is all that efficient at a lot of things, so why would oversight of a private company be a super high priority?
(Side note- I learn something new every day on this site and I appreciate the diverse perspectives and topics presented here.)
I appreciate your open-mindedness! That said, these allegations are beyond disturbing. They are human rights violations. Pure and simple. No other way to sugarcoat this one. Though there will be those who try.
Former Fed Gov't official here. With senior-level experience overseeing administration and management, including letting of and oversight of government contracts.
Federal Government contracting laws are extremely involved and detail all parameters and legalities involved for the successful letting of Federal Government contracts. When you let a contract to a private firm, whether for a product or a service, there are provisions that require oversight of said contract. There are milestones and deliverables specified. Along with required regular reporting from the contractor to the Federal Agency.
Oversight of the contract is essential. To ensure that (a) you are getting the product or services for which the contract specifies, also known as deliverables; (b) said services comport with ALL LEGAL AND MORAL requirements; and (c) there is fiduciary compliance. In other words, making sure you are getting the specified deliverable(s) you are allocating tax payer money to. There are Federal employees whose job is contract oversight. They are usually Contracting Officers or Contracting Officer Technical Representatives.
It is the same situation one might encounter with home improvement work one may contract for through one of the big box stores. Any issues one may have or oversight needed is the responsibility of the big box store to remedy.
Same is true here. ICE IS RESPONSIBLE for what happens; its contractors are being paid to do this work in lieu of government employees.
Simply put, it's paying someone to do/make something the Federal Government, or a particular Federal Government Agency, does not typically do or cannot do. And often that's resource bound; letting contracts of this nature expands your resource allocation. Often to meet a specific one-time or emergency situations. Contracts are supposedly designed to ultimately save tax $$$. Emphasis on supposedly, as that has been an ongoing debate in the Federal Contracting world for years/decades.
There is no viable or valid rationale that can excuse what has been alleged. Though I have no doubt that the finger pointing and blame will be rampant with this situation, even though technically ICE, is responsible. That's because they put out the bids, or if a no-bid, set the parameters of the deliverable(s).
Oversight by the Federal employees is crucial. And oftentimes the career employees whose jobs are to oversee Federal contracts are often not supported when they do see issues. Because often contracts are let to friends of the current Administration. And the Political appointees at every Federal agency will involve themselves as necessary to prevent issues such as this from seeing the light of day. Would we be aware if not for this Whistleblower? And if it's not true, then ICE/this Administration should/would welcome a complete and unbiased investigation into such serious and disturbing allegations.
Failure to provide oversight is also ripe for legal challenge. What has been alleged here is criminal. I have no doubt we will be hearing about lawsuits and litigation about this issue for the foreseeable future. I wouldn't be surprised to see it at both the State and Federal levels. At some point we all have to recognize that something is not right with how this Administration has been treating immigrants. Period.
What many people in this country have lost track of is that non-white people are still people. Who live and breathe and want the same things you and I do. Sure there are bad apples; but then bad apples can be found in any race or ethnic group, so let's not introduce that here. That's the subject of another thread.
If these immigrants allegedly being sterilized were say, white immigrants from I don't know, maybe Sweden, would this even be allegedly happening? We all know that answer is a big fat NO.
My point is simple; where is the empathy for those less fortunate than ourselves? Who's crime is what? Having darker skin? Trying to make a better life here in the U.S. for themselves and their loved ones? How is this different than what has happened over the last almost 250 years?
This is the United States, founded by Immigrants. Built on the backs of immigrants. And this is how we now treat those whose only crime is wanting the same as those who immigrated before them? And people wonder why people protest! Sheesh.