(Reuters) – Rights activists called on Thursday for the immediate release of a transgender women allegedly raped by her cellmate at an Arizona immigrant detention center, accusing authorities of refusing to provide for her safety.
The activists say immigration and detention center officials have shown they are incapable of protecting the 23-year-old woman following the alleged July 20 sexual assault at the Eloy Detention Center, southeast of Phoenix.
The woman, Marichuy, whose legal name is Jesus Leal Gamino, has been detained for more than a year at the 1,437-detainee center, which is operated by Corrections Corporation of America under a contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“We see no other solution than for ICE to immediately release her, where her community can take measures to … help her heal,” said Francisco Luna, a spokesman for Arcoiris Liberation Team, one of the groups calling for the woman’s release.
Read the rest of the story at Reuters.
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