Mexican Consul Praises Detention Reform

January 29, 2010

Use Another Player

( Phoenix, AZ ) The Obama Administration says it's ready to change some of the ways it detains illegal immigrants in the United States. The Mexican government says it welcomes the idea. Peter O'Dowd reports.

Detention policies have come under fire after immigration deaths in US-run facilities. The measures would focus on improved access to medical care and more centralized oversight.

Addressing medical care is one improvement Mexico's Deputy Consul in Phoenix, Alfonso Navarro, is happy to see, especially in facilities run by private contractors.

"The main difference in the privately run facilities, sometimes the health issues, the treatment is delayed."

Nine detainees have died in recent years at the privately contracted detention center in Eloy. That's the most in the nation. Officials there say each detainee is given a comprehensive physical exam and has access to excellent medical care.

Deputy Consul Navarro says that when it comes to serious human rights concerns, most of the 1,000 or so Mexican citizens detained in Arizona, are well-taken care of.

"The first question we ask to any inmate is, 'have you been mistreated in anyway?' And the general answer is no."

Still Navarro says the consulate wants reform policies to include better access to its citizens. He also says detainees complain about the quality and the quantity of food they're served.

But he says most problems are resolved quickly because his office is in constant contact with US immigration officials.