Health and Safety of Immigrant Detainees

Texas Nurses Association and its members are concerned about the health and safety conditions of facilities housing immigrant detainees on the border. Children and adults held by U.S. Customs and Border Protection have been denied hygiene products, access to health care, and appropriate sleeping arrangements.

Attorneys indicated that detainees have not been given adequate food and water and are forced to crowd together in unsanitary conditions. Unable to bathe or wash their clothes, many detainees have fallen sick and disease has spread through detention centers.

These conditions are dangerous, unethical, and antithetical to human rights. This treatment has been condemned by the American Nurses Association and the U.S. Department of Health of Human Services.

Read ANA’s statement to the acting secretary of Homeland Security.

Several nurses have inquired about volunteer opportunities to assist the migrants at our nation’s southern border. While organizing such volunteer efforts is beyond TNA’s capacity, there are a number of voluntary, community, faith-based or international organizations dedicated to this work. Learn more: