U.S. Brags About Quality Medical Care For Detained Illegal Immigrants

Weeks after announcing resort-like accommodations for illegal immigrants in federal detention facilities, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is bragging about the quality medical care it provides for undocumented aliens housed at nearly two dozen locations throughout the U.S.

It’s all part of the Obama Administration’s commitment to reform the immigration detention system so that it’s more humane. This includes a number of outrageous perks for arrestees, including female hormone treatments for transgender men, abortions for women and “ethnically diverse” diet options.

It also includes topnotch medical care provided by more than 900 Public Health Service-commissioned officers, federal civil servants and contract support staff. The DHS agency that runs the nation’s 21 detention facilities, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), promoted the new and improved healthcare system this week with an announcement titled “ICE Provides Quality Medical Care to Detainees.”

It ensures the safe and humane conditions of confinement for aliens in ICE custody. “A detainee’s health care begins the moment they walk through the facility’s doors,” said Dr. Jon Krohmer, assistant director for ICE. “Within the first 12 hours of their admission, all detainees undergo a preliminary health screening, which includes an evaluation of the individual’s medical, dental and mental health status and within the next 14 days, a more detailed physical examination takes place.”

Because so many detainees are either new arrivals in the country or haven’t had access to health care in the past, Dr. Krohmer says it’s not unusual for serious health problems to be diagnosed at the preliminary screenings. “We’re finding out about health issues that even they didn’t even know about and in most cases are able to begin treatment,” he said. Illegal immigrants also get evaluated and treated before getting deported, compliments of Uncle Sam.

When necessary, the agency authorizes and pays for off-site specialty and emergency care, consultants and case management. Financing for such costly procedures was once tough to get, but ICE “recently streamlined the treatment authorization request” to make it easier for illegal immigrants to get specialized medical care.

Of course, American taxpayers will get stuck with the exorbitant tab. Improved services are part of the president’s revamping of the immigration detention system. Besides medical care, other areas have been augmented to meet the new standards. For instance, mental health, legal and religious services have also been improved and there is a new system for reporting and responding to complaints. There are also a bunch of new translators to guide detainees with “limited English proficiency.”

Jail menus have also been redesigned to offer arrestees generous and ethnically diverse options for a “nutritionally balanced diet.” Recreation programs and facilities have also been revamped to include a variety of exercise equipment and recreational options such as soccer, volleyball and basketball. Board games and television will be available as “sedentary activities.”