At least three employees at Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers in the Houston area have now tested positive for COVID-19.
They’re the first confirmed cases in Texas immigrant detention centers. The state holds more detained immigrants than any other state in the country, around 40% of the national detained population.
The COVID-19 cases come as doctors, advocates and lawmakers are urging for the rapid release of detainees to avoid a full-fledged outbreak, which would put thousands of lives at risk.
The audio version of this story has been updated to reflect the fact that six detainees have tested positive for COVID-19 in other states.
