Legal groups have complained this week alleging that some employees of a family immigration detention facility located at Karnes City, Texas sexually harassed females in custody in the said establishment.

The complaint was filed on Tuesday at the Department of Homeland Security by three groups, namely, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, law office of Javier N. Maldonado, and the University of Texas Law School's Immigration Rights and Civil Rights Clinics.

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The females brought in the detention facility due to illegally crossing the United States-Mexico border were interviewed. The victims then alleged the three employees and submitted harassment complaints.

The complaints filed state that some females were let out from their cells just so the employees can engage in sexual acts with them. According to the females who were reportedly harassed, these employees promised freedom and money to obtain the sexual favors.

These females were even allegedly sexually touched in front of other people, as well as labeled as "novias" or girlfriends by the Karnes City facility employees, the complaint reads.

The harassed females not only complained about the ongoing harassment, but also on the fact that other members of the staff and officials of the facility did nothing to stop the abuse. The acts are claimed to be violation of the laws that protect those who are detained.

According to the staff attorney of one of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Marisa Bono, the incident reported is already enough reason for the U.S. government to stop detaining families. Women and children have crossed the border to get away from the conditions of their homes including that of sexual violence and coercion, Bono added.

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has increased the number of facilities to cater to the influx of minors and mothers with their children who illegally cross the border. The Karnes City facility has been in operation since August.

The aforementioned groups are currently seeking response from the ICE regarding the incident reported.

A spokesperson for ICE released a statement saying that the agency has implemented the Prison Rape Elimination Act regulations in the said establishment. However, no further detail about the ongoing investigation was disclosed.

ICE does not tolerate sexual abuse or assault in their facilities. If the abovementioned allegations are proven, the appropriate action will be done, added the spokesperson.

TagsImmigration Detention Facility, Texas, Karnes City, Illegal crossing, United States-Mexico border, sexually harassed, females