Exclusive: DHS Addresses Claims About Louisiana Lockup
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is pushing back against recent media reports, asserting that illegal immigrant criminals referred to as “Louisiana Lockup” are being held in a section of Angola prison located in Louisiana’s Western Feliciana Parish.
Jeffrey Landry from Florida described the situation as “Crime Illegal Aliens, Beware – Louisiana Lockup is where America’s time ends.”
A spokesperson for the department stated that more than 70 violent offenders are detained in the ICE facilities. They emphasized that not only are the allegations false, but also that there should be no sympathy for those within these walls.
“Louisiana Lockup” reportedly includes at least 26 child predators, 20 other sex offenders, and 28 convicted murderers.
New ICE Detention Facility Opens
The DHS pointed out various headlines that they claim are misleading. Some reports discussed complaints from illegal immigrants about harsh conditions and sexual misconduct allegations, which they argue lack proper context.
“Claims made by an illegal alien who says they are receiving inadequate medical or mental health care are completely unfounded. Detainees receive full treatment, three meals a day, legal counsel, and other essentials,” a representative remarked.
A deputy to Chief Christy Noem affirmed, “There is no hunger strike at Louisiana Lockup.”
Furthermore, Deputy Director Tricia McLaughlin commented on the media’s tendency to highlight unverified claims from illegal immigrants. “This isn’t the first time, nor will it be the last, that the media repeats these baseless accusations,” she noted.
According to McLaughlin, the facility houses some of the most dangerous individuals, and critics should consider whether there could be anyone worse than child abusers and murderers.
On the topic of medical treatment, she asserted that the department has long provided comprehensive care “from the moment the aliens enter ICE custody.”
She posed a question to the media: “Why the focus on amplifying the sob stories of violent criminals like pedophiles, murderers, and rapists?”
Criminals Detained in Louisiana Lockup
Among those held at Louisiana Lockup, situated just below Natchez, Mississippi, are individuals like Mana Masakoy from Liberia, convicted of aggravated assault, and Raymond Louis from Haiti, found guilty of assaulting a police officer. There’s also Jose Gonzalez Saarez from Cuba, who has a murder conviction.
Bauni Tamavonsa, a Lao citizen who illegally entered the U.S., has been convicted of raping a disabled person. Others in the facility include various inmates charged with similar serious offenses from different countries.
In the Bayou Slammer, Argentine Carlos Terdi was convicted of sexual exploitation of minors through film, alongside Anton Kottinsky from Russia.
Rep. Julia Letlow, who represents the area, previously informed that Louisiana has taken significant steps in addressing illegal immigration.
