Virginia politicians are responding to reports of physical and emotional abuse of immigrant children detained at a juvenile justice center outside Staunton.
According to reporting by the Associated Press, Latino teenagers held at the Shenandoah Valley Juvenile Center say guards there would restrain them, with bags over their heads. They reported being beaten, and left naked in solitary confinement. The alleged abuse predates the Trump administration and is the subject of a federal lawsuit.
Speaking to reporters after an unrelated press conference, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam says the state will investigate.
“We become concerned when we hear reports like that. The Secretary of Public Safety, Brian Moran, who’s not here this morning - be he’ll be looking into that situation,” Northam said.
Virginia Senator Tim Kaine says the reports are troubling.
“I know Senator Warner and I are going to be reaching out to the federal officials responsible for this program to demand answers,” said Kaine.
In a statement, Representative Bob Goodlatte said he was unaware of the allegations until the Associated Press story ran. Goodlatte said the claims are alarming and "certainly merit a thorough investigation...."
Although the facility is run regionally, it contracts with the federal government to house teenage immigrants.
In court filings, lawyers for the facility denied all allegations of physical abuse.
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.
