8legs: Office for civil rights and civil liberties

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Gutting of key US watchdog could pave way for grave immigration abuses, experts warn

The DHS watchdog offices overseeing civil rights have been drastically reduced, Raising implications for oversight of immigration detention.
Experts warn the downsizing could enable abuses with impunity as oversight shrinks during heightened enforcement.
Whistleblower complaints and lawsuits seek reinstatement of watchdog staff and restoration of oversight.
DHS said the changes refocused operations and improved efficiency, not eliminated oversight.
Public records were removed from DHS websites, sparking concerns about transparency.
Background cases cited include alleged ketamine sedation, pepper spray in detention centers, and a woman in a restraint chair.
Critics warn a decimated oversight framework could endanger detainees as detention capacity expands.
Civil rights groups and legal advocates allege illegal and under-resourced enforcement against detainees.
Former DHS staff report a near wipeout of investigative teams involved in detention facility oversight.
The watchdog network originally aimed to process complaints and guide DHS practices across three offices.

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