International
New probe alleges staff kept migrants locked up during deadly Juarez fire
This report was created with support from enhanced software.
On March 26, 2023, a fire engulfed a migrant detention center in Juarez, Mexico, claiming the lives of 40 individuals and leaving 27 others injured. Nearly a year later, a new report suggests that staff may have knowingly kept detainees locked inside a holding cell as the fire burned.
Immediately following the fire, officials asserted that the keys to the cell couldn’t be found to release the trapped migrants. However, an investigation by Lighthouse Reports, in collaboration with La Verdad and El Paso Matters, found that the key to the detainees’ cell remained inside the facility until moments before the blaze.
Point phone camera here
Surveillance footage allegedly captures a staff member refusing to unlock the cell. The report indicates that a security guard passed the key to a colleague, who pocketed it.
Audio recordings purportedly capture a uniformed National Migration Institute member stating, “We are not going to open [the cell] for them, I already told those guys.”
Despite mounting evidence, the National Migration Institute has yet to issue a statement regarding the report.
Nine individuals, including federal and state agents, are facing charges in connection to the incident. The commissioner at the time remains in his position despite the criminal charges against him.
[LAUREN TAYLOR]
NEARLY ONE YEAR AFTER A DEADLY FIRE BROKE OUT AT A MIGRANT DETENTION CENTER IN JUAREZ, MEXICO – WHICH KILLED 40 AND INJURED ANOTHER 27 – A NEW REPORT SUGGESTS STAFF MAY HAVE KNOWINGLY KEPT DETAINEES LOCKED INSIDE A HOLDING CELL AS THE BLAZE RAGED.
RIGHT AFTER THE FIRE – OFFICIALS CLAIMED THE KEYS TO THE CELL COULD NOT BE LOCATED IN ORDER TO LET OUT THE MIGRANTS.
BUT NOW, A NEW INVESTIGATION BY LIGHTHOUSE REPORTS ALONG WITH LA VERDAD AND EL PASO MATTERS REVEALS THAT THE KEY TO THE DETAINEES’ CELL WAS INSIDE THE FACILITY UNTIL MOMENTS BEFORE THE FIRE
SURVEILLANCE FOOTAGE CAPTURED A STAFF MEMBER ALLEGEDLY REFUSING TO OPEN THE CELL.
ACCORDING TO THE REPORT – A SECURITY GUARD HANDED THE KEY TO A COLLEAGUE, WHO PUT IT IN HIS POCKET. AUDIO CAPTURED A UNIFORMED NATIONAL MIGRATION INSTITUTE MEMBER ALLEGEDLY SAYING, “WE ARE NOT GOING TO OPEN [THE CELL] FOR THEM, I ALREADY TOLD THOSE GUYS,” AS SHE APPEARED ENGROSSED IN HER PHONE.
DESPITE MOUNTING EVIDENCE, THE NATIONAL MIGRATION INSTITUTE HAS YET TO COMMENT ON THE REPORT.
NINE INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING FEDERAL AND STATE AGENTS, FACE CHARGES.
THE COMMISSIONER AT THE TIME REMAINS IN HIS POSITION DESPITE THE CRIMINAL CHARGES HE’S FACING.
Straight to your inbox.
By entering your email, you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge the Privacy Policy.
MOST POPULAR
-
AP Images
3rd federal judge backtracks on plans to retire after Trump win
-
Getty Images
Disneyland owes back pay to 50,000 employees in $233 million settlement
-
Getty Images
Ratings slump: Half of MSNBC viewers haven’t returned since Election Day
-
Getty Images
‘Malcolm in the Middle’ reboot coming to Disney+