The ACLU in San Diego says poor medical care at an immigration detention center in Otay Mesa has caused detainees to suffer, and, in a few cases, die unnecessarily. The ACLU is now suing federal immigration officials, asking them to fix the problem. KPBS reporter Amy Isackson has the story.
The ACLU's class action suit says one detainee who was repeatedly denied care for a cut on his foot ended up with a bone infection and may have to have his foot amputated.
The ACLU's David Blair Loy describes another case in which a detainee had a lesion on his genitals.
Loy : There was repeated request to have it treated. It turned into cancer, requiring him eventually upon his release to have his penis amputated and cancer that is threatening his life because it was not treated in a prompt fashion.
The suit further alleges detainees are denied medicine for chronic illnesses.
Federal immigration officials in San Diego will not comment on the litigation.
Five months ago, the ACLU filed a lawsuit that alleges overcrowding at the immigration detention facility is unconstitutional.
Amy Isackson, KPBS News.
