Polis requests GAO study on sexual abuse of LGBT immigrants

Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) has asked the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate the alleged abuse of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people trying to enter the United States as immigrants.

Polis's letter is a reaction to reports that there were incidents of sexual violence against immigrants held by the Department of Homeland Security. Polis said the Heartland Alliance National Immigrant Justice Center filed a complaint about these reports last April, and other reports have said sexual abuse is occurring in DHS's detention facilities.

"In spite of these reports, the Department of Justice recently announced that immigration detention facilities will not be covered by the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)," Polis wrote, according to Denver's Westword blog. "Therefore, we respectfully request that the GAO undertake a detailed audit of immigration detention facilities used by DHS to detain immigrants to investigate the incidence of sexual violence."

Polis asked that GAO's review examine detainees held by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) bureau, and that GAO determine what steps DHS is taking to stop sexual abuse.