FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AG

FRIDAY, JULY 2, 1999

(202)616-2777

WWW.USDOJ.GOV

TDD (202) 514-1888

STATEMENT BY ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO AND DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER

WASHINGTON, D.C. - This week, six Cuban migrants alleged that they were verbally abused and mistreated while in the custody of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).

Attorney General Janet Reno and Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder today issued the following statement:

"We are aware of, and deeply troubled by, the allegations that six refugees have made about the way they were treated while in custody in Pembroke Pines, Florida this week.

"There is no room for abusive conduct among the ranks of our law enforcement personnel. We take these, and all such allegations, extremely seriously. We have therefore referred the matter to the Office of Inspector General. The Civil Rights Division will also review the allegations.

"We will simply not tolerate abuse of individuals in our custody and will take the strongest possible measures in response to all such allegations.

"Additionally, pending the outcome of the investigation, INS Commissioner Meissner has temporarily assigned an INS officer involved in the matter to duties which do not involve contact with detainees. She has also committed the resources of the INS Office of Internal Audit to assist in this investigation."

# # #

99-283