Eight immigrants in Arizona detention centers have tested positive for COVID-19 as of April 15. This comes as concerns rise over the spread of the disease in confined populations.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said it is following the guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to mitigate the spread. ICE is using a strategy called “cohorting” where groups of detainees are kept together after they have come into contact with someone with COVID-19.
But some medical experts say this could lead to further spread of the COVID-19 virus among detainees. This has led to growing tensions within the detention centers. Advocacy groups, attorneys, and medical experts are calling for ICE to release detainees in order to protect their health.
To gain insight on this situation, The Show spoke with Jude Joffe-Block, a contributing reporter at the Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting, who worked with the Center’s Valeria Fernandez on this investigation.
You can see the full investigation at azcir.org, including:
- ICE tactics to limit spread of COVID-19 in detention centers stir controversy
- Tensions skyrocket as COVID-19 fears grip Arizona detention center
