Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Watch Live

Public Safety

Quarantine at Detention Center Due to Swine Flu

Authorities say dozens of immigrants being held at San Diego's Otay Mesa detention center are being quarantined because of fears over the swine flu.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials say two cases of the H1N1 virus have been confirmed at the facility since last month. The individuals were treated and recovered.

ICE spokeswoman Lauren Mack says 72 detainees have been segregated from the center's general population for observation because of possible contact with infected people.

Advertisement

Sean Riordan, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union, says the observation practice is "devastating" to immigrants whose court hearings are being delayed even if they're not sick.

KPBS has created a public safety coverage policy to guide decisions on what stories we prioritize, as well as whose narratives we need to include to tell complete stories that best serve our audiences. This policy was shaped through months of training with the Poynter Institute and feedback from the community. You can read the full policy here.