US Homeland Security Probes Report on Illegal Immigrants’ Rights Violation

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is probing a Civil Rights Commission report claiming it does not respect the rights of illegal immigrants, DHS Press Secretary Marsha Catron told Sputnik.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Earlier on Friday, the US Commission on Civil Rights released a report accusing DHS of violating detained illegal immigrants’ rights and of treating them like criminals.

“We are reviewing the Commission’s report,” Catron said on Friday.

Catron explained DHS is reforming its detention centers to temporarily house illegal immigrant families.

“We are transitioning these facilities into short-term processing centers where individuals who claim fear of return to their countries can be interviewed for asylum and other humanitarian protections,” she said.

Catron noted families who gave a credible reason for fearing prosecution in their countries of origin would be released on condition that they comply with immigration obligations.

The DHS was concerned, Catron stated, about the health, safety and welfare of detained illegal immigrants, and would ensure that they received proper care and resources.

“We have consistently improved and updated our standards and policies to reflect this commitment,” she said.

The report followed the launching of President Barack Obama’s Stand Stronger campaign to help eligible immigrants become US citizens.